Friends Needing Friends: God's Timing is Perfect.

God’s Timing is Perfect

Last week I received a phone call from Dotti Ackerman, founder of Friends Needing Friends, who shared with me that the FNF blog had reach over 30,000 “hits.” That conversation prompted me to reflect on my association with this great organization that offers Christ-centered support for widows. You see, we seniors often see events and/or organizations differently than younger folk because we were there when “it” happened or “it” was begun. It’s not totally unlike being a parent. We remember early details about our children’s lives that they know only from stories told to them. They know what they looked like only from pictures. But, we were there and of all their “firsts” are etched in our memories. So when we enjoy the company of an adult child, we also can interpose the image of that little neophyte that we first fell in love with.

In my conversation with Dotti she mentioned that she had four more DVD’s of some of my homilies she had kept for years that she planned to share on the blog. That’s when my reminiscing went into high gear. I seldom refer to myself in my writings, but bear with this old woman as she strolls down Memory Lane. My association with FNF goes back to the year 1988 when Dotti asked me to speak at one of their dinner meetings in New Jersey. This became a yearly occurrence and I and grew to love the ladies and respect this ministry.

Then, eight years ago I retired and shortly thereafter Dotti called upon me more often to speak and this led to my doing a Bible lesson with the group once a month. What a delight it was to teach these women from God’s Word and then enjoy a lovely luncheon with them!

Shortly thereafter, Dotti called me and asked me to record some of my teachings. I remember, with the permission of Pastor Bruce, setting this up with the technicians at our local church, and going into the recording studio and delivering my talk to a party of one, the on-duty technician. Darlene, a lovely godly woman at the church, helped to package the DVD’s after which Dotti would distribute them to the women attending FNF, which numbered around eighty at that time.

In 2009 Dotti moved to Florida and, unbeknown to me, took copies of those DVD’s with her, where for the most part, they were a silent witness to several of the Bible lessons we had done years before.

In 2012 my husband and I moved to Pennsylvania and Dotti asked me to continue to write for the monthly newsletter, which I did. Then, God led into Dotti’s life a woman who suggested that they do a blog and, with some instruction, Dotti was able to successfully launch that. (www.friendsneedingfriends.blogspot.com )

I then began to contribute regularly to that ministry as well. For the past 3 ½ years Dotti and I have worked as a team on many of the blogs. God speaks to her heart about something, she will call me and tell me the gist of what is on her heart, and I will put words to her thoughts and they go out on the blog. Now neither Dotti nor I are intuitive techies. But God, in his seamless timing, has always placed someone in our lives to instruct us and bring our skills to the level we need for this grassroots ministry.

A few months ago Dotti looked upon one of her shelves and eyed those silent DVD’s and wanted to get them into the blog. The knowledge of how to do that was lost on her . . . but not on God. He led her to just the individual who could help her get this accomplished and for the past few months those checking the blog have been able, through the magic of technology, to listen to my teaching a lesson from God’s Word. From a party of one to hundreds listening to God’s Word each month! Who but God could accomplish this by orchestrating each incremental step toward that end during the years!

This morning as I was reading the book of Esther, it occurred to me that her story is a perfect example from the Bible of God’s timing. From Esther’s being chosen as queen, to Mordecai’s overhearing and reporting a proposed assassination of the king, to the king not being able to sleep and reading the account of Mordicai’s deed and much more. Read it all for yourself and you’ll be amazed by the incidents that seemed inconsequential at the time, but fit into God’s plan and occurred at just the right time. Nothing is happenstance with our all-knowing God. His timing is always perfect.

So, now the blog has reached over 30,000 “hits,” and in retrospect one can see how God, at just the right time, nudged individuals to act, brought people into Dotti’s life, and melded all of this together to get His Word out to more people than either Dotti or I would have thought possible over 30 years ago. To God be the glory!

Statistics Speak. At first glance the statistics speak only of numbers. Yet, upon a closer look, one can’t help but notice that they also give a peek into the countries where God is drawing people to the blog who might otherwise not ever hear the Gospel. It isn’t an accident that there are a large number of hits in Russia and China. God is again demonstrating His perfect timing. Continue to pray that many will be drawn to the blog around the world, especially in those areas where widows are mistreated, or at best ignored.