Last week I shared how my computer died leaving me fearful that all my writing was lost. The good news came when I read a message on my desk —“computer man called, no hope for computer, but writing and pictures saved.”

I rushed to pick up the silver corpse, the little hard drive holding my treasures, and to pay the man for his services. The next afternoon, Connor and I headed to Fayetteville computer shopping. Waiting for the Geek Squad to see me and check out my dead computer was not a waste of time. Being almost three years old, I assumed I would be better off to buy another one. Prayers were about to be answered. While we waited, Connor asked a million questions — what is a Geek? why do computers die? when are we eating? By the time the young Geek said, ‘next please,’ I was ready to get this over and done with. He politely listened to my sob story, one he’s surely familiar with, and began retrieving information from his register. Within minutes, he shared good news that sent me into praise mode right there in the store. “Mrs. Spell, your son purchased a three year extended warranty. Your computer is covered.” he said.

Connor joined the celebration as did several new friends we made while waiting in line. I left my computer in Geek Squad care, knowing it would be revived and good as new when I came back to pick it up.

Keeping promises, especially to God and grandchildren is important. So, all three of us enjoyed a good time at McDonalds’ inside playground. Connor prayed before we enjoyed food, fun, and a history lesson about the pictures featuring Ft. Bragg painted around the room. We didn’t rush to eat or speak harshly to one another, as did many people seated near us. When a father actually hit his crying daughter, Connor grabbed my hand and held it tightly. We talked all the way home about things that trouble little children. He worried about the little girl and wondered why some daddies do bad things. We agreed that our heavenly Father is the best Daddy of all and would never hurt His children.

One week later, my teachers were gathered in my office for a quick meeting. My phone rang. A lady with broken English began talking. I didn’t take time to listen, assuming she was a telemarketer. I told her thank you for calling, but I wasn’t interested. Minutes later the phone rang again. The same lady told me my computer was ready to be picked up. I quickly apologized for hanging up on her earlier and thanked her. Sometimes we act in haste and hatefulness when we should take time to listen. Our assumptions aren’t always right, and blessings come to us that we could easily miss.

That afternoon Connor and I waited in line again for my computer. A miracle was about to happen before my eyes. They opened my computer and there was the small golden cross shining in the top left corner. I pulled the cross from a welcome bulletin at Emma Anderson Chapel two years earlier and attached it to my computer. Today, it reminded me of God’s love. Then, I saw my screen light up and everything was there, nothing was lost. I cried tears of joy, thinking of long nights when I wrote instead of sleeping. What was lost was found; my heart beat thank you Lord. We left with a computer that had been cleaned up, restored, and ready to be used again.

That’s how it is with God’s love, once we’ve experienced it. We can easily become lost, appearing to be dead, losing the treasures our Lord and loved ones have sacrificed to give us. When we think all hope is gone, our miracle comes when we put our trust in Him. He cleans us up, restores us, and is ready to use us again to share the unconditional love of a God who longs for us to stay closely connected to Him. For when we cut ourselves off from the Vine, we wither and die. Life flows when we are connected to Jesus . Every time I turn on my computer that golden cross reminds me of His love, of the miracle of my treasures being saved, of people who help us along our path, of believing and being all we can be for God.

Connor and I celebrated at Chick Filet. After a good meal and watching him play, we pulled on our coats and headed to a corner of the restaurant where a fund raiser was going on for children suffering from MS. I handed Connor some money and explained we were helping people by giving. He dropped the money in the jar and spun the wheel, winning a cone of ice cream. Everyone cheered and thanked him for his contribution. He asked if we could give again. This time he won a chicken meal. They rang a bell and gave Connor a sticker because he gave and won a special prize. He beamed with joy.

Driving home, he talked of how good it feels to help people. He held to his certificates he would redeem on our next visit and recalled the excitement when he won and bells rang. He asked if they would help his cousin, Katy, who suffers from spinal bifada. He asked why some get sick and some stay well? He talked about school, about things that bother little children. He looked in the sky and asked how God made the stars? He talked about galaxies and where God lives. Then he said, “Nana, I can’t wait to see God. I can’t wait to get to heaven. I want to be good and see God Nana.”

My heart was tendered by his precious words and the love and joy he brings to my life. God knows our needs and sends blessings, even through a little child whose love and faith is big and bold.

When I kneeled beside my bed that night, I had much to tell my Lord. He listened as I talked on and on as Connor had on our way home. I thanked Him for teaching me many lessons through my computer experience, for making sure my ‘stuff’ was saved but more importantly that I am saved though once I was lost, for connecting me with people who could help, for the cross where He gave His Son so that we might be saved, for my grandson who loves deeply and yearns to live his life for Jesus, for the blessings overflowing in our lives, for freedom, for good to reign over evil in our land, and for the day when I get to heaven — I can’t wait to see You, God.