He Heard My Voice

“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.  Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”  Psalm 116:1-2

I was dreading the trip to Romania for my daughter’s wedding.  Past experience had told me that it would be physically challenging and emotionally isolating.  The wedding being such an important event in all of our lives made these facts especially distressing.

Before I left I asked a couple of close friends to pray for some specific requests in regards to the trip; one was for sleep.  I have been to Europe a number of times and each trip the time changes would result in sleepless nights.  With all the activity of the wedding I knew that getting enough sleep would be an important part of handling the stress and emotions.  God heard our prayers.  This trip…I have never slept better, not even at home!  Every night was restful and refreshing and that was a true act of God!

I was also dreading the trip because I feel so isolated in social settings there. Nothing is lonelier than being in a room with wonderful conversation and activities taking place, but being unable to participate because you cannot understand or communicate.  Others are busy, and taking the time to translate is slow and distracting, the laughing is over by the time you get the punch line.  Eventually, the translating stops and the party goes on without you.

How would I ever enjoy my daughter’s wedding, when she wouldn’t even be by my side to help me?  God heard our prayers.  First of all, a wonderful group of Americans joined us; our son and five of our daughter’s friends.  We had so much fun!  They were all a tremendous blessing and source of support and encouragement…not to mention just plain a blast.  We spent all our time together and sat together at the reception.  It was wonderful.  Secondly God provided a wonderful translator, one of Kim’s Romanian friends.  Georgi did a magnificent job.  She couldn’t be at our side constantly, but was there for everything that was important.  Having such a professional and gracious translator was a love gift from God and a direct answer to prayer.

So, my daughter’s wedding was wonderful.  I can look back with pleasant and happy memories.  “God heard my voice and my supplications…therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”