The nurse asked if I would mind waiting in the hallway. I turned to put my things on a nearby bench and saw my friend walking toward me.  With a quick hug and, “thanks for coming”, she left me and slipped inside her daughter’s room. A few moments later the nurse exited and I was able to go in.  What I saw surprised me.

Though I knew my friend’s daughter’s condition was serious, the dark red line flowing from a bag above her head through a tube that disappeared beneath the covers alarmed me.  Like the preverbal elephant in the living room we ignored the obvious and danced our way around it chatting about the weather, upcoming events, the flowers in her room, hospital food and the crowded parking lot.  The nurse reappeared and it was time for me to leave, but not before we prayed.  

My exact words are not something I recall but, somewhere in my conversation with God, I thanked Him for the hospital, doctors, nurses and the person who had donated the blood my friend’s daughter was receiving.  We said “Amen” and “good bye” and I made my way back outside to the crowded parking lot and into the stream of my own life.  

Months later I invited my friend to attend a function where I would be speaking. She accepted with great enthusiasm and I was both surprised and disappointed when she did not come. A waiting message begged my forgiveness but left me puzzled as to how her absence could be, as she claimed it was, my fault! I returned the call and was greatly touched by my friend’s explanation.

“Remember when you came to see my daughter in the hospital?  You prayed for her and when you did you thanked God for the person who had donated the blood she needed.  Ever since then I have been a blood donor and give blood as often as I can.  It usually has no effect on me whatsoever but, the day before your speaking engagement, I donated blood and in the morning was feeling a bit fatigued. Relay for Life was on the same day and I decided it would be best to make it a one event day rather than a double header.  So, you see, it really is your fault I wasn’t there.  If you hadn’t prayed the way you did I would never have become a blood donor and I would have been able to be with you.”

My friend is wrong.  It is not my fault.  It is all God’s fault! 

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.”  (Philippians 2:13)  He is the One who prompted my friend to give back in such a consistent and self sacrificing way.   I am just one of His many millions of children who talk to Him in prayer.  God worked through the words His Holy Spirit had me utter to touch my friend’s heart and change her life. How refreshing, how encouraging it was for her to share with me how prayer really does change things!

E-mail Penny with some of the ways prayer has changed things in your life at thebloomlady@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter.