Posted 12:07 am Saturday, April 28, 2012
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God Can Appear When You’re Not Looking
Linda Schaefer has had mysterious encounters all of her life.
She’s now a successful photographer and author, but there was a time when she didn’t know how she was going to make ends meet. When s he was about 21, she was walking down 23rd Street on a snowy day in New York without a dime in her pocket.
She didn’t have enough money to even take the bus to get home.
She’s now a successful photographer and author, but there was a time when she didn’t know how she was going to make ends meet. When s he was about 21, she was walking down 23rd Street on a snowy day in New York without a dime in her pocket.
She didn’t have enough money to even take the bus to get home.
“All of a sudden, I’m walking along and there’s this role of bills on the sidewalk,” she said in an interview on Wednesday. “It was a very busy street, lots of people walking back and forth. I looked down and there was this little old man. I looked at him, he looked at me, and I was thinking ‘well, who saw this first?’ And he said ‘you saw it.’ I knelt down on the ground and picked up this roll of bills, and it was about $100. Then I looked up and he was gone.”
It was only one of many divine experiences she’s had in her life. Ms. Schaefer was the last professional photographer to have full access to Mother Teresa before the illness that ended her life. She’s coming to Tyler on May 11 and 12 to talk about life with the famous nun at a fundraiser for Catholic Charities.
Ms. Schaefer shared lots of insight about Mother Teresa, but I kept thinking about the provision of that $100 on 23rd Street — especially because it was at a time in her life when she wasn’t seeking God.
It was only one of many divine experiences she’s had in her life. Ms. Schaefer was the last professional photographer to have full access to Mother Teresa before the illness that ended her life. She’s coming to Tyler on May 11 and 12 to talk about life with the famous nun at a fundraiser for Catholic Charities.
Ms. Schaefer shared lots of insight about Mother Teresa, but I kept thinking about the provision of that $100 on 23rd Street — especially because it was at a time in her life when she wasn’t seeking God.
“I wasn’t actively spiritual, but I knew that was something very special,” she said. “I didn’t name it as God, but I knew it was some experience that wasn’t normal. I knew it was God, but I couldn’t define God. I had a lot of those experiences.”
It wasn’t until much later in her life, after the death of her husband, that Ms. Schaefer started looking for God.
Ms. Schaefer considers storytelling through photographs her life’s calling. But isn’t it neat to think that He was providing for her and calling her before she ever knew who He was? She didn’t have to be perfect for Him to call her. She didn’t even have to know who was calling for her to hear.
One of my favorite songs is “God Speaking” performed by Mandisa. I thought of it instantly when I heard the story of Ms. Schaefer’s “23rd Street angel.”
It wasn’t until much later in her life, after the death of her husband, that Ms. Schaefer started looking for God.
Ms. Schaefer considers storytelling through photographs her life’s calling. But isn’t it neat to think that He was providing for her and calling her before she ever knew who He was? She didn’t have to be perfect for Him to call her. She didn’t even have to know who was calling for her to hear.
One of my favorite songs is “God Speaking” performed by Mandisa. I thought of it instantly when I heard the story of Ms. Schaefer’s “23rd Street angel.”
Have you ever heard a love song
That set your spirit free?
Have you ever watched a sunrise
And felt you could not breathe?
What if it’s Him?
What if it’s God speaking?
Have you ever cried a tear that
You could not explain?
Have you ever met a stranger
Who already knew your name?
What if it’s Him?
What if it’s God speaking?
Who knows
How He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention
To prove He is enough
He’ll do
And He’ll use whatever He wants to
To tell us
“I love You.”
That set your spirit free?
Have you ever watched a sunrise
And felt you could not breathe?
What if it’s Him?
What if it’s God speaking?
Have you ever cried a tear that
You could not explain?
Have you ever met a stranger
Who already knew your name?
What if it’s Him?
What if it’s God speaking?
Who knows
How He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention
To prove He is enough
He’ll do
And He’ll use whatever He wants to
To tell us
“I love You.”
