A Jar of Blackberry Jam
“A Jar of Blackberry Jam”
Some months ago, as Nancy and I were driving home from the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Family Conference in Ohio, we stopped at a small town in Indiana. We found a nice little city park and we ate a picnic lunch. After lunch we visited a roadside store at an fruit orchard where we bought and an assortment of homemade jams and jellies to give as Christmas gifts to various family members. We got all of the jars delivered except one: a jar of blackberry jam. This one was for my brother David who lives in Pennsylvania.
On this past Thursday as I prepared to drive to Norman for my dear sister, Phyllis' funeral, I kept noticing the undelivered jar of jam. I decided to take it with me to the funeral and would find a moment to give it to my brother. At least that was my plan. But it didn't happen that way.
As I drove down the Turner Turnpike on Thursday, I got caught in a traffic jam near Stroud. It was caused by a terrible wreck, but I didn't lnpw that, all I knew was that the traffic was backed up for miles and was inching forward a few feet at a time. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. I was listening to my computer reading a book that I have been writing. I am calling the book, THE HEALING PARTNERSHIP. It is about how God works with his people to bring healing. I was listening to a part about how God often uses us for healing in the most unexpected times and places. Sometimes he works in the most unexpected ways and places.
All of a sudden, my car was hit from the rear. Somebody had run into me with a pretty hefty hit. The driver behind of that car and I pulled off to the side to catch our breath and check for damage.
As he got out of his car the driver had a look of terror on his face. He said, "I am so sorry for hitting you! I am in trouble. I am in trouble. I am a diabetic and my sugar is dropping and I am passing out. In this traffic I cannot get anywhere. I don't know how I can find some sugar. I am in trouble!" And I went over to my car and got him the gift jar of blackberry jam. I said, "This is almost pure sugar, let me give this to you!" He stared at the gift jar of blackberry preserves that was now his. He said, "I can't believe this!"