Summer of 1980

Summer this year has been extremely hot! But it has yet to top out the summer of 1980, which saw 64 days straight of temperatures over 100. And I think it peaked out at 114 or so on a couple of days. Lots of people remember that summer, but my memories are especially poignant to my remembrance of that time.

In the fall of 1979, due to a series of incidents stemming from my late husband's promotion at the company where he worked (good thing), he had to resign the position due to alleged discrimination and jealousy from a co-worker (bad thing). Confident that another position would come available soon, and confident that the Lord would provide in such a way as to be able to give Him praise, we did not worry.

But, after going through Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then into the New Year, it got a little depressing around our house, even though we never missed a house payment or any other payments, for that matter. And although the Lord provided for us in lots of surprising ways, in trying to cut corners, I took the bus each day to my job in downtown Dallas.The drive to the bus stop was about 10 miles away, and then I would take the bus to work. It made for a long day and in the winter, my husband would have hot chocolate waiting for me and when the hot summer came, a cold bath at the end of the day. Bologna and cheese sandwiches for lunch each day (ewww).

During that summer, the heat was intense and the city buses were overheating daily, which meant we would have to get off the bus and board another bus, then stand because it was already full. Did I mention that in those days we wore a lot of polyester and panty hose? :-)

One particular day, after having boarded 3 different buses to get home, I was so very tired when I got off the bus. It was blazing hot and I remember saying out loud, "Lord, I am so thirsty." As I walked to my car, I looked down and to my great delight, I saw the familiar face of George Washington on a dollar bill right there on the sidewalk at my feet! I was so excited with this find and immediately went over to the Taco Bueno for a Pepsi to quench my thirst. (These days I would have been much wiser and invested in a cold bottle of water! :-)

Now one dollar might sound very small. But in those times when our need is great, how refreshing and reassuring to know that God hears us when we cry out and satisfies the need. I will never forget it because that one dollar represented the many ways that He provided for us throughout those 9 months. This tangible answer provided for temporary relief, but the comfort and peace that the Lord gave to me when I cried out in my anxieties provided the assurance that He was indeed with me.

I mentioned that we never failed to make a house payment or any other obligations, the most important of which was our tithe! And though I don't consider my tithe as an obligation such as a debt, I do consider it as being what belongs to the Lord. When we give to Him, the returns are great!

An amazing part about all these happenings was that when the right job finally did come along, the benefits provided to my husband would be a great provision for me 5 years later during another hot summer when he died suddenly. God always knows what is going to happen in our future and He will always make a way.

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19

Father, I praise You that from the very beginning, You have been there and thank You for taking care of me in spite of myself and never forsaking Your daughter Connie.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5