---

“Be anxious for nothing; but in everything, through prayer and supplication, make your requests known unto God. ” Philippians 4:6

The more experienced I become in living Christ-like, the more experience I am given to live like Christ and to see how “all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 The “good” is in bold print below.

I have been home in Portland for nearly two weeks now. Some rather major life events have occurred.

I have sorted through six months of mail, separating out my name and address from each piece and shredding it. A helpful friend came one day to shred, and we enjoyed a Red Robin lunch after an hour of working through a several stacks of mail.

I had cataract surgery on Thursday, June 26th. These days, such an operation is “no big deal.” Nonetheless, because the procedure was done on my near-sighted eye, I have not been able to clearly read anything for 24 hours. Another helpful friend drove me to and from the appointment.

For 15 years I have tutored the children of an extended Vietnamese family. One of the children has special needs and has been awarded funds for continued education during the summer. I have been asked to be her teacher of life skills.

First, however, I must be employed by an in-home care agency. The case worker gave a list of seven agencies. Starting at the top, I phoned several of them, leaving messages. The last one on the list was in the smallest font and only two lines long. I phoned, and the call was answered by a husky, Black voice. It invited me to come to the office to fill out paperwork.

I did so on Wednesday and found the office to be on the way to Hinson church. Convenient! Once I arrived, I discovered that Ease My Way Community Care is part of Harvest Ministries. I was helped greatly by a young woman. She told me that I needed to bring my social security card in order to begin the background check.

The next day, I returned with card in hand. This time I was helped by Dr. Gbotoe, who not only filled out the application but offered to pay the $12 fingerprinting fee. (See, God provides!)

The day after my return from England, I noticed that the lower part of the front passenger fender seemed to be pulling away from the upper part. Someone else noticed scratches along the bottom of the passenger side. I took it to a trusted body shop where more scratches and damage were found. I contacted my insurance company, and this morning I received word that the 2014 Altima, which I have had for nine years has been totalled.

Now I must decide. Should I keep it, damaged as it is? Or take what the insurance company offers and probably be without a car?

I know that each of you could compile your own list of good and bad circumstances. And each list would verify that indeed, life–with all of its tragedies and triumphs–happens. We cannot change the situations, but we can choose our response to them.

I have chosen to follow the injunction of of Philippians 4:6; and so I have discovered the truth of verse seven. “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”