COFFEE TALK WITH GOD: God’s plan unthwarted

Published 12:15 am Friday, September 14, 2018

Funny how you work hard before going on vacation, and just as hard trying to catch up after returning. Hardly seems worth the bother, but getting away from routine is definitely a blessing, especially if you get to spend time with dear friends you don’t often see.

Such was my last three weeks. Oh, and by the way, did I mention I worked while on vacation? Just not enough time to do all that is required before leaving — the very reason I haven’t taken vacation since starting work in 2015. That’s not exactly true. I was out five weeks recovering from surgery — does that count? And another time to move, I don’t count it either. A vacation to Nashville visiting old friends was everything I hoped and planned it to be — nothing fancy, just real.

Today’s religion feature is one of the results. I met Laurie Cardoza Moore, and her husband Stan, in the 1980s and again in 1990s while a talent agent and casting director in Nashville. Not until a few years ago did I learn where their life journey had taken them. I was attending the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville and one of the big, special events was hosted by Moore’s organization, Proclaiming Justice to the Nations. A massive presentation with the clout and respect it deserves in an effort to make Christians aware of the anti-Semitism alive in America as well as around the world.

Seeing her videos of speeches at the United Nations, on national news programs, from Israel, with world and international church leaders, makes me shake my head in amazement. Her poise on camera was just part of the training the Lord provided for her to be ready for the job she now takes great passion in sharing. And to think, I knew her when, and now. The same sweet and loving woman that has always brightened my threshold.

While on vacation we managed to meet up for an interview, one I would hardly call work. Just to catch up with her life was worth the trip but learning more about her mission reminded me of the motivation behind my decisions following 9/11 — I had to be about My Father’s business.

It is not we who do The Father’s bidding. He created us in our mother’s womb for the work of the Gospels. Like the early disciples, we have a message for all those who do not know the way to a glorious eternal life. We’re tour guides and far too often jump off script with our own interpretations when The Master has given us His instructions.

It is God who completes the work He has begun in us, not we of ourselves. Like for Laurie, not everyone can do what she has done, or go the places, meet the people she has met and produce the programs that explain to the rest of us — nearly over our heads — what the Biblical mandate is for we as believers, to uphold the connection of the root and the vine. Read Romans 11. If it were not for the scriptural command not to be in awe of humans, I’d be in awe, but she is just fulfilling God’s calling on her life. We each have our own.

EPILOGUE 2: Mr. Tux has a new name — Little Rascal. I’m elated to report that he has recovered the use of both hind legs and shows no restrictions for the horrible cut to his lower abdomen and hips by the jasmine vine, though occasionally when he gets too rambunctious in play, I can tell a slight weakness. I’m sure with age that will go away all together. He is 100 percent boy-kitten running and wrestling, biting and chewing, but rarely hard enough not to handle. He loves to play and is a climber. He’s learning to jump again. And he loves to snuggle next to me at night to stay warm near my arm, luckily not at my feet. The first time I kicked him off the bed probably took care of that. Just thought you’d like to know. God is good.

Vicky Branton is the Teche Life editor at The Daily Iberian.