Luke 18:1-7
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. Three dear friends, in three separate conversations, after hearing my story about going to the Social Security office to apply for Widow's benefits, likened it to this parable! I thought that was quite remarkable. I was indeed a widow who kept bothering the adversary. My telephone appointment to apply for Widow's Benefits had been set for January 13 at 1:30 pm. Since I had reported his death on November 20, this was almost a two-month wait before I could even apply. But I was told that this is how they do things these days; they do it all with a telephone interview. So, this past Monday, I arose from my bed so excited that it was finally SOCIAL SECURITY DAY! Finally, I would be able to file my claim and start receiving something from John's benefits to help me live. My calendar was cleared out and I kept my phone right under my nose the entire day, to be certain I did NOT miss this all-important phone call. But it never came. In fact, my phone never rang the entire afternoon! The clock ticked loudly in the silence, like some kind of ticking time bomb. When the hour reached 4:00 pm, I called the Social Security National Line and spoke with some guy to let them know that no one called at their specified, appointed 1:30 pm time. He could have cared less. "It happens all the time. Your phone thinks it's spam and hangs up on us. I show they tried to call you twice and no one answered." I protested loudly and made sure he knew that I was practically sitting on my phone all day, waiting for that call! His only response: "I'm re-scheduling you for March 3rd at 11:30 a.m." He hung up and I sat there, stunned. I thought about how many times it speaks in the Bible of God's great heart for the widows. Surely I wasn't really going to have to wait ANOTHER TWO MONTHS just to file this claim! I did not sleep on Monday night. I prayed almost through the whole night. I prayed in the Spirit and I sang praise songs to God and I really pressed in, believing that GOD WOULD MAKE A WAY. In the morning I got out of bed early, made some coffee and ate a little breakfast, then got dressed in warm, wool sweater and coat and headed out to the local Social Security office, about 30 minutes away. I arrived just as they opened the doors at 9 a.m. and was rather shocked to see so few people there waiting in line; maybe only ten or so. As a woman was checking people in she would ask, "Do you have an appointment?" Those that said yes were directed to have a seat and wait for their names to be called. Those of us who said no were told to "form a line at Window 11." I ended up in line behind five other people and I could hear all the conversations between each person and the Window 11 lady. Each person was told "There is no one who can see you today. You have to make an appointment and come back later." I heard her tell all five people this, and all five people must have gotten appointment dates sometime in the next quarter-century and left. Now it was my turn. I handed her the letter from Social Security with the appointment date and time and explained that they had failed to call me and I needed to apply for Widow's Benefits TODAY. She was terribly rude and snapped, "There is no one here who can help you, you have to make an appointment and come back." I replied, "No, I'm not leaving here. I cannot wait another two months for my appointment. I'll wait here until someone can see me." "I told you," she retorted, "NO ONE HERE CAN HELP YOU, YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND COME BACK." "No, I'm not leaving here," I continued to pester her. A widow should not have to wait FOUR MONTHS to file a claim for benefits. And Social Security failed to keep the commitment to call me at the appointed time." Now her voice became stern. "You'll have to make another appointment"! "No, I'm not leaving here," I repeated. "I am happy to wait. I will wait in this office all day until someone can see me and process my claim." Suddenly, as if she had appeared from some unknown realm, another woman came darting up to Window 11 and said, "We just had a no-show appointment. You can come back with me to Desk 5 and we'll get you taken care of." A no-show appointment! At the very moment I needed help! Really? You mean I won't even have to wait the usual three or four hours? She escorted me back to Desk 5 and introduced me to a young man with curly hair, who greeted me. "Hi, I'm John and I'll take care of you." I had to fight back tears. HE'S JOHN. HE'LL TAKE CARE OF ME. Oh God, my wonderful, Mighty God, how you DO take care of me! And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." Stand firm, my friends. Keep bothering the unjust judge and demand that you be given justice. You are chosen ones. You are sons and daughters of the King! And HE will see that you get justice and act quickly!
3 Comments
Shawna Mann
1/15/2025 08:45:18 pm
I love this! He is faithful! Thank you so much for sharing this and reminding me of the goodness of God!
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1/28/2025 08:32:00 pm
Just now saw this message from you, Shawna! So eager to come worship with you this May. Shalom with blessings, Kelly
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Sally
1/19/2025 07:51:44 am
O, Twinie! I can just see you in all of this! I take hope in gently insisting for all that He has promised! Love you so!
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AuthorKelly Ferrari Mills SubscribeArchives
February 2025
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