Ever had the Lord prompt you to do something and you just dismiss it? Or "reason" it away? Sometimes the Lord just lets us reap what we sow and sometimes, He gets the last laugh.
One Sunday I rushed to church, 4 kids in tow. After I ushered them to their various classes, I hurried to the choir room for a quick practice before the service. I found the first seat available, the end seat on the back row. (The seats in the choir practice room mirrors the seats in the choir loft.) As I melted into my chair, slowly exhaled and hoped that I was indeed fully clothed, the Lord prompted my heart to move up one row to the empty seat in front of me. It would be an encouragement to the lady sitting next to that empty seat, He urged.
Well, how would that look? And how would the lady I had originally sat down beside feel? Wouldn't she be offended? Surely this is not such a big deal. I'm staying where I am. So! We practiced our selections and I lined up to go to the sanctuary, the Spirit's directive safety tucked away.
Our choir chairs were positioned on elevated platforms (large steps), about 4 rows, with the top row about 10 feet up. (Remember, my chair was on the back (top) row, on the end.) What I didn't know about the particular chair I was standing in front of was that the two left legs were precariously positioned just barely on the platform, with most of the two legs hanging over the edge. That was of no concern until we were directed to have a seat.
As I lowered myself toward my chair I was blissfully unaware of the explosion of activity in which I would soon become involved. When I sat down, the two legs of the chair slid over the edge, slinging me toward the 10 foot drop. Survival took over at that point. Arms and legs went flying searching for stability of some sort. Music littered the atmosphere and all attention was drawn in my direction as I made snow angels in midair. Grabbing whatever I could, I grasped the Christian flag to my left, now billowing without a breeze. My unlucky neighbor grabbed me as I grabbed her. I'm not sure where my feet landed, but side-ways motion stopped and I was suspended at a 45 degree angle in the top left corner of the choir. All eyes were on me and no one was listening to Pastor.
I was able to get my feet under me, haul myself up off the chair and put it back in its place. I gathered my music with the help of a nice lady in the congregation, tucked it under my arm and turned in search of a safer spot to sit. I found myself once more, exhaling slowly as I recovered, then waved to the audience, letting them know I was okay (they could turn their attention back to the pastor).
Whew. Tragedy averted. All was well in the world once again. It was right about then that the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder. "So where are you sitting now?" I had to laugh at myself as I realized I was sitting next to the lady the Lord had suggested I sit next to in the first place. So. Was He trying to help me avoid an embarrassing situation because He knew the booby trap I was headed into? Or was He showing me (once again) Who's boss? It doesn't really matter. I've learned not to dismiss the prompting of the Lord for ANY reason.
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