May 13, 2024
Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 CEB
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
I get lots of spam calls on my cell phone. Many of them come from the (808) area code which is Hawaii. Others come from places in which I don’t recognize or know that I don’t know anyone. If I don’t recognize a number, I don’t answer, and if a voice main isn’t left, I assume it was spam. About a year ago, I started blocking them, since it isn’t all that difficult to do. Every few days, I go to my missed calls log, and block unknown callers.
That’s all well and good, except that I blocked a call from a dear colleague and friend whose number I didn’t recognize. This past week, he and I were working on plans for a small group. He sent me an email asking that we chat on FaceTime on Thursday morning. I agreed and waited for him to call. No call came through, so I tried to send him a text. A message came up on my phone, “Blocked number, do you really want to call it? If so, press enter.” To my embarrassment and horror, I realized I’d inadvertently blocked him months ago. I FaceTimed him and apologized for “ghosting” him.
I’ve been thinking about what it must have felt like for him to try repeatedly to call me, but never getting an answer or even the option to leave a message. I felt sad about that. And it occurred to me that God doesn’t block our calls, or our prayers. In fact, before we call, God is already answering, God is already hearing us.
I am so thankful for that. God will never block my calls or my prayers, or yours. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 