When a man's ways please the Lord, He will cause even his enemies to be at peace with him. Prov.16v.7
The old, gruff pool attendant wouldn't help me like the previous sweet ( too sweet- he was gay!) man whose place he took. He would set the patient lift precariously too far over the edge of the pool and disappear as I struggled to get Mom transferred from the wheelchair. For other handicapped clients he'd go get the barbells or arm rings, but not for us! I stood there ready to head for the manager's office to complain, but something stopped me. Why make an enemy when you need a friend?
So I started "Hi, Mike" and "No problem, Mike" and "Thanks, Mike" - and I also hired a young lady to help me. But her erratic schedule still meant I needed the help of my friend, Mike.
Over the course of a few weeks Mike and discovered I had prayed for him a few years back when he was hit by a car while riding his Harley on Hwy 59. His wife, who worked the gym, had shared the news of that accident and I had prayed not knowing who her husband was. It was Mike! He also talked about his VietNam experiences as everybody in the pool turned and listened. But he came near to me and shared something more for no one else to hear. He said he'd tried to shoot himself when the Viet Cong had killed his buddies and lay alone wounded. He put a gun i his mouth and pulled the trigger, but it misfired. Mike felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find no one there. A voice said to him, "You're coming out of this OK" He did, carrying his dead buddy on his back for 3 days until our guys rescued him.
Well my enemy "ite" began to jump up and position the patient lift when we'd walk in. He gets our arm rings and puts extra towels in the sauna for us. Yesterday after we got Mom finished and dressed, he took me to the fitness floor and showed me some exercises for my back. As he stood close to me, instructing and just barely touching my shoulder or back, God said, "You have found your trainer."
Say this: Father, I commission my enemies to serve Kingdom Purpose in my life. Thank you for causing them to be at peace with me because I am pleasing to you!
Love you guys!
PS to the Anonymous Person Who Sent Flowers by FTD to my home yesterday- Thank you- you crowned a 2nd-mile day with tears and joy! I left the ICU bedside of a dying friend to come home to a sunshine bouquet- Only God knew! I love you whoever you are!