May 2010 Newsletter
The Miracle of Prayer by Pat Harley
Filming is tough. Well it is tough if you are not an actress, if having people put makeup on you and mess with your hair and dress you up and then in all of that you are suppose to remember a 30-40 minute talk that has the potential of changing or ruining lives!
So we are in the preliminary stages of filming for the next Bible Study. Last week we filmed six two minute location clips that will begin and end each segment. Everything went well until one of our locations said we could not film there because we were a religious organization. Then another location that had earlier given permission seemed to know nothing about us when we showed up with a film crew and then another place proved too dangerously close to the road for the cameramen to set their equipment. In both cases, while the crew stood by, other locations had to be found. This does not add to comfort and joy. These things do not calm the already shaken nerves. Yes, filming is tough.
I remember the first film session we had back in 2001. We were all meeting at Walk Thru The Bible Studios at 8:00 AM sharp. Being the "person in charge" I was especially anxious to be there on time so that the crew, caterers and teachers would all know where to go and what to do. They probably did not really need me but I felt a huge responsibility.
A number of unforeseen things interrupted my well planned morning. By the time I got in the car I was rattled, anxious, frustrated and already thought I was a total failure because I would not only be late but would be incredibly so!
I hit traffic about a block from my house. It moved about an inch every five minutes. I had twenty miles to go and at that rate I thought I might get there within the next three days. In anguish I finally realized that this was God's program, not mine. I asked Him for help. I put my head right down on the steering wheel and with tears rolling down my face I asked for His divine help.
The traffic began moving slightly. I looked at the clock. It was 7:40. There was no way I would be there even close to eighty thirty much less eight o'clock. I prayed again and this time committed to keeping my eyes on the road and my heart focused on God.
The traffic began to speed up and then I hit more traffic and all stalled out again. But then a most unusual thing happened. It was as if the traffic parted. I inched along moving from one lane to the other...a free space here, then another there. And then I was on the free way! Keeping up the same "dance" I moved along, back and forth eyes on the road, heart on my God.
And finally I pulled into the parking lot at Walk Thru. I parked the car and turned the key off and looked at the clock just as it turned over to eight o'clock. And with that God gave me a gentle touch of encouragement as if to say "Press on! I am with you!" The God of the impossible...
So the question is, why be anxious, oh my soul? Pray then trust in God. |
