Angel's Wings

I was talking to my sister, Janis, on the phone last night.  She was complimenting me on the recent newspaper and TV interviews and for doing "good things".  I felt uncomfortable accepting her praise, but I wasn't sure why.  This will be an attempt to explain it.

One of my favorite songs that I have sung with church choirs over the years came to mind:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power and His grace
I can feel the brush of angel's wings; I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place

I have felt for some time that my life is on automatic pilot.  I am happy that I have been able to do "good things", but I can't take credit for them.  Even though I have been the one giving presentations, doing interviews, and writing books and articles, I know that all of it is a gift from God.  Certainly to me, and hopefully to others.  I have a strong sense that everything I have done in life up to this point has prepared me for what I am doing now. It seems that He had a purpose for my life that is now unfolding. The opportunities that have been laid before me to make a difference for others, no matter how imperfectly, are surely evidence of His presence in my life.

I have had this feeling for years now.  I have written many examples of how He has been watching over my family and me in a personal journal that I kept for three years.  The most recent example is how He is watching over my younger son, Brian, and his family as they prepare for a move to Shanghai in July to accept teaching positions at a prestigious overseas school.  I see His fingerprints all over the inspiration that was given to my son and his wife, Sybil, to pursue this idea.  To orchestrate a plan that would take them to Kansas to interview with overseas schools from all over the world.  To catch the attention of the interviewers from Shanghai in the face of tons of competition.  To have been selected and offered positions after running a gauntlet of five or six interviews.  To selling their house in preparation for the move without even listing it.

I have felt "the brush of angel's wings" and am grateful.  Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.