Tying Preparation To the Ascension

We are always being prepared for our future whether we realize it or not. I have been working as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) for 35 years; 33 of those years have been in the schools. The other two were spent working for a company who contracted to nursing homes. When I left that position to go back to work in the schools, I thought I had wasted those two years. At the very least, I thought the only thing I got out of it was the necessity of making sure I was able to "CYA" (Cover Your A_ _) with paperwork to keep from receiving insurance denials as well as to make sure I wasn't sued.  It wasn't until 20+ years later that I realized why God wanted me in that setting: my dad got sick.

We (my siblings and I) were on the receiving end of God's mercy because it wasn't a prolonged illness. He went into the hospital with pneumonia on 01/01/2017 and passed away 02/01/17. At one point, he was actually diagnosed with "aspiration pneumonia" and a swallow study was ordered. If I had not worked in a nursing home, I wouldn't have had any idea about some of the medical stuff one of us should have known to make sure daddy was receiving the best care. I was able to go with him to the swallow study and was allowed to watch the study being performed. When the cardiologist visited daddy later that day, I was able to tell him that he did, indeed aspirate. I was able to thicken daddy's liquids and show my brother how to do it. I was able to make sure daddy correctly used the techniques recommended by the hospital SLP during his meals.

If I hadn't worked in the nursing home, I would have had no clue about the study or the recommendations (swallowing wasn't a course in my graduate program way back in the stone ages). How does this tie in with the Ascension? When the apostles were just looking up at the clouds, the angels gave them a shove and basically told them to get on with it. Jesus prepared them for this moment. They were ready to take what they learned and spread the Word. He prepares all of us for what we need; we just don't realize it. He won't let us down, especially if we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us.

As I said in a previous post, the apostles were told to "Go do something". As I get older, I look back at certain periods in my life & realize that He prepared me. Little things that happened are just a piece of the bigger picture. I challenge you to take a few minutes and think of how something that seemed insignificant prepared you for something bigger. I'd love to hear how God has prepared you.