The Beat Goes On!

I sat in the break room after the going away party the staff threw in my honor before I moved to my new home in the Central Valley, reading my bon-voyage cards and having another cupcake. Debbie, from the billing department, came in to chat. She said, “You are so bubbly. Where does your joy come from?”

It was a perfect time to share where my joy comes from, but the craziest words came out of my mouth! I said something like, “I’m just lucky, I guess! It must be in my genes. My mother is pretty upbeat!” What was THAT?

We finished our chat, she hugged me and wished me well in my new home, then left the room. I was so disappointed with myself for not giving credit where credit is due. God is my joy, my hope, my life!

My husband and I moved to Clovis and had a wonderful life in the same cozy home and friendly neighborhood for 27 years.

Every time I flashed back on that conversation with Debbie, I cringed and prayed that God had brought a stronger voice than mine into her life to share the source of true joy.

Well, something incredible happened at the medical facility where I was working.

One day, 26 years after that conversation with Debbie, I happened to be in our billing department, checking on some radiology charges with one of our billing clerks, when someone called my name.

“Patty?”

I turned to see a visitor, a specialist from out of town who was helping us convert to a new computerized billing system.

“Yes?”

She asked, “Do you remember me?”

I looked for any clue and prayed for recognition but there was nothing. Her hair was frosted with red highlights, her glasses were square-framed. I did not know who she was.

“It’s Debbie! Remember? From Dr. Iger’s office in Bakersfield.” She mentioned names of people we’d worked with so long ago.

I could not believe my eyes! Debbie! I now had an opportunity to finish our conversation! I asked if we could speak outside the department privately. We went out to the lobby together. I turned and looked her squarely in the face and smiled.

“I have thought about you so often over these many years! Do you remember the day you asked me where my joy comes from? Well, I didn’t give you the right answer! I am so thankful that God has given us this day, so that I could have a ‘do-over.’ I need to tell you that I have joy in my heart because of His love for me. He takes such good care of me. He comforts me and guides me as I go along; He strengthens me, and always will be with me. He is amazing! That is where my joy comes from. I am secure in His wonderful love for me!”

Her eyes welled up with tears. “Thank you! I know!”

We hugged, and after her special computer project ended that afternoon, she was gone, back to the South Valley and her home.

I was thrilled with the miraculous opportunity to give her the right response in person, 26 years later! I am so amazed at God’s intimate and personal love for us.

The lesson I learned that day: God delights in do-overs.

Patty Thompson has received God’s grace in 50 years of love and relationship together. She now lives in Phoenix with her husband. She spoke at many of her church’s retreats in California. She loves to encourage women in their faith. She has attended a NEWIM writer’s conference and re-released her updated memoirs, “Look What God Did! True Stories of God’s Power, Love, and Care,” available on Amazon. This is an excerpt from that book.