God's Telephone Number

A friend visited me at my mountain camp and was interested in the lichens we had on display. Some lichens were old but still held the drawings or written inscriptions friends had made, while visiting at the camp. Later as we walked along a trail,
Hazel found a lichen she could cut from a tree stump and use.

Back at the camp, Hazel used a pencil to inscribe an inscription on the lichen. She said she wanted me to have it. The inscription read: "God's telephone number: Isaiah 65:24." Hazel told me, "It's always local and it's never busy. "

On Monday, I was at home. I was the daily "sitter" for my toddler grandson. Children from the neighborhood, every day after school, came to play with the "baby." They noticed the new "something" on my coffee table. They asked me, "What do the words say?" I read the inscription: God's Telephone Number: Isaiah 65:24. The children were surprised that Mrs. Armour had God's telephone number!

The next day, my seven-year-old neighbor said to me, "At our after-school class today, I told Sister that "Mrs. Armour has God's Telephone number."

I had to hide a smile. I asked, "What did your teacher say?"
The child answered, "My teacher didn't say anything at first, but then she said, "That's nice."

When I think of that incident that happened fifteen or so years ago, I'm still amused, wondering what the Nun thought about the revelation she had heard. At this moment, I don't know where that special lichen is, but I remember its message, and live my life, and in peace, with its Truth.

(Isaiah 65:24 Before they call, I will answer,
while they are yet speaking, I
will hear.)
-- from The New Oxford Annotated Bible, page 957

From observing nature: its plants, trees, and creatures, and from observing my own life, I now believe that, just as God creates air for lives to breathe, and lungs to use the air, I believe that God provides for us at birth, and for every creation, a "spiritual sense" to guide us and other life in our unfolding. MMA
September 23,2006

# posted by marylee m armour @ 1:55 AM 0 comments links to this post