An obedient life can lead to many rewards

“As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.”

– Ecclesiastes 11:5 (KJV)

Several years ago, I received an unexpected phone call from an old work acquaintance. She explained to me that God had placed it on her heart to call and thank me for what I had done for her.

This piqued my curiosity because I didn’t remember doing anything for her. She went on to say that while we were sitting in a meeting regarding some concerns, she heard me say I had done everything I could about the problem. I was trusting God to bring about the changes.

Those words struck a chord within her heart. At that moment, she realized that she wasn’t giving any part of her life to God. From that day forward she began to submit her attitude toward him.

For a long time, she had been struggling with her infertility when trying to conceive a second child. She placed the blame on her husband for her failed attempts to get pregnant and considered bailing out of her marriage.

But now she had a change of heart and decided to work on her marriage instead. She placed her desire for a second child on the back burner.

After examining her heart regarding the treatment of her husband and others, she proposed to herself to be more considerate of others.

With time, she chose to set limits on time spent with critical people and gossips. She received a new job that better fit her family and personal needs. She started making new friends, and she felt better about herself.

She said she called me because someone had recently thanked her for something, and she realized she had never thanked me.

I spoke with her a few months later. She was delighted to give me the good news for which she had waited 10 years: “The strangest thing happened,” she said. “Within one month of our conversation I found myself pregnant.”

We couldn’t help but wonder if my friend was reaping the rewards of an obedient life. We never know how the workings of God’s Holy Spirit will bring about a blessing in our lives. It’s all part of his mysterious ways.

Ÿ Mark your calendar for Annettee’s conferences in September. She will be speaking at Panera Bread in Round Lake Beach Saturday, Sept. 14, from 3-5 p.m. on the topic of Writing and Speaking for Fun and Profit. From 9-10 a.m. Sept. 26 at Panera Bread in Gurnee, she will discuss Make your Dream Reality! Due to limited seating registration is preferred but not necessary. There is no fee for the conference. Invite her to speak on any topic at your group or event. Register or contact her by calling (847) 543-8413 or emailing Annetteebudzban@aol.com