Hello, from the mountains of Kentucky! I hope the weather where you are is a bit dryer than it is here. Rain has once again returned to the mountains making it difficult for garden work, vegetables ripening, and also for picking. Uncertain weather can be challenging for homesteaders.

However, the rain has been a blessing in other ways. My eighty-six year old mother was hospitalized over a week ago, and I’ve spent the majority of my time with her. The rain falling outside the hospital window reminds me that God is aways in control of all things. Had my mom’s hospital stay have been during a hot and dry season of summer, I would have been worrying about the garden work. With the rain falling, I was reminded that I couldn’t have picked, even if I were home. This thought provided me some peace, and allowed me to focus on the most important thing, my mom. For now, the veggies can wait.

My time spent at the hospital has been nothing short of miraculous. I am amazed all over again at the diverse population of people that I have and continue to come in contact with within the hospital. I have had lengthy conversations with a few, encouraged others, have been encouraged, prayed with some and others have prayed with and for me. I have encountered beautiful and friendly smiles, have laughed with one or two, and shared my heart and warm hugs with others who were grieving. Through the encounters of others, I am reminded that God places people with us, around us, and near us, when we need them.

One gentleman who was at the hospital with his wife who was in very serious condition, shared his testimony. He said he was worried and felt helpless. His wife wasn’t getting better. He explained, “I said, Lord, I just need a little hope.” He said, as soon as he had said those words, a nurse came into the room and introduced herself as, Hope. She explained that she would be his wife’s nurse for the day. He finished his testimony by saying, he just looked and whispered a thank you prayer to the Lord. He truly is an on time God. He’s ever-present.

I also met an older lady the other night in the waiting room. After chatting with her for a few minutes, I discovered she was there for her brother whom only had an estimated few days of life remaining. I noticed a young man who seemed to always be near her and who talked with her. I assumed he was her son or grandson. Later that night when the waiting room had emptied, other than my husband, myself, and the elder lady, I noticed the young man was gone. I asked her if he was her son or grandson. She smiled and said, “I don’t know who he is. He just kind of took a liking to me and had been hanging out with me.”

I felt a warm feeling of comfort from the Lord. Instantly, I thought about how the Bible speaks of entertaining angels unaware. Had we entertained an angel unaware? Had He placed someone who could bring comfort in the time of need? Either way, the company of the young man was a blessing to the elderly lady. As suddenly as the young man had appeared, he was gone, just as the nurse, Hope, didn’t return after that night.

Even if he wasn’t an angel, he provided comfort for a lonely soul in the time of need just as the nurse named Hope, provided comfort for the man whose wife was so ill. God sees us where we are and meets us there with His presence or someone he temporarily places in our lives. Remember, to be kind and be thoughtful, to others. You may be their temporary angel, or you could be the one who is entertaining angels unaware. God’s ways are not our way.

Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. KJV

I hope you have enjoyed this post, and it brought you some peace and comfort. God truly knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Remember, He is alive, and miracles still happen. As I write this post, I am encouraged. My mom has been moved from ICU to a regular room. She is making baby step improvement. The testimonies of others helped lift me up. If you have an encouraging testimony, don’t be afraid to share it. There are people all around us who need encouragement. Feel free to comment, like, and or follow. For now, God bless, from the mountains of Kentucky.