Are You There God? It's Me, Jamie.

God knows exactly what we need, when we need it.  I got a call from a friend last week that left me feeling hurt, puzzled and a bit blown away.  Not 20 seconds after I hung up the phone with her, one of the happiest people I know called.  God knew I needed to hear her joy and positive attitude.  She made me feel so much better and I didn't even tell her what had happened.  It was just hearing her joy and feeling her friendship that made such a difference.  God knew.  A month or so ago I was having a really rough day.  The kids were acting like crazy people, I felt under appreciated, I was basically a complete grump.  I knew I needed to exercise.  It helps me clear my head.  It's therapy.  That day I decided to ride my bike.  The first ten minutes on Pimp Juice (that's what I named my bike.  It's after that Nelly song that was popular a few years ago about a tricked out car.  I'm so cool.  ha!) I was still so grumpy.  I was telling myself some very positive things like, 'I don't want to be out here.  I'm going to have a terrible ride.  I just want to throw the covers over my head.  This totally stinks.'  So, I started talking to God about it.  I wanted him to hear just how bad my life was.  About how difficult things really are for me (whatever Jamie!).  It was a full blown pity party.  After a few minutes of venting, God started to bring me peace.  The pity party was winding down.  Not two seconds later, I caught something out of the corner of my eye.  It looked like a page out of the Bible.  'It couldn't be' I thought.  This is a very busy street, there's no way.  So I kept going.  I dismissed it.  But of course curiosity got the best of me.  I had to go back.  And there it was.  A page ripped out of Ecclesiastes just laying there in the grass.  I can't remember the exact verse but it was about the angels rejoicing and singing in heaven.  A great reminder that this earth is not perfect or fair.  We're not promised that this life will be easy.  Our real treasure is in heaven.  I left the page there on the grass.  I thought someone else might need it as much as I did at that moment.  I'm so glad I went on that bike ride.  His timing is perfect.  I have had countless other experiences where God's presence was so evident it's eerie.  For example, the time I had to spend the day with a difficult boss.  I prayed that God would give me a clear sign He was with me.  I was at Kinko's at the time.  When I walked out of the store, I saw a tiny little silver cross right by the door.  I had a great day that day even with my not-so-happy-about-life negative nelly boss.  My mom tells me she thinks I have some special connection to God.  That's so not true.  We all have the connection.  We all have an open phone line to Him.  It's a matter of using it.  It's a matter of listening, of waiting, of being observant, of having faith.  He knows.  He will show Himself in His perfect time.  If only, we ask.