Genesis 24:12-27
Traveling Mercies
Twenty-one years ago, my daughter and I were returning home from a weeklong trip to Chicago. During a layover in Minneapolis, our flight was delayed, so I left our luggage with her and wandered off to browse a favorite store. As I headed back to the gate, I saw her running toward me in the middle of the crowd, struggling with both our bags and yelling, "Mom! They're boarding and we're going to miss our flight!"
The departure time had suddenly changed, back in the days before cell phones kept us constantly connected. Looking back, I suspect her panic may have been fueled partly by a strong desire to get home after a week with her mother! Thankfully, they shut the aircraft door right after we boarded. We made it and all was okay.
Have you ever faced a season of uncertainty and wished for a clear sign that everything would be okay? Abraham's servant felt that way. Sent on a long journey to find a wife for Isaac, he stopped at a well and prayed for guidance.
Before he had even finished praying, Rebekah arrived. When he asked for a drink, she generously offered water not only to him but to all his camels. Through her kindness, the servant experienced what we might call a traveling mercy, a reminder that God had not abandoned him on the road.
Most of us don't receive answers to prayer as quickly or clearly as the servant did. Yet God's steadfast love often appears in ordinary ways: a timely phone call, a word of encouragement, a helping hand, or a stranger's kindness when we need it most. We trust that God doesn't orchestrate every detail of life, but God does promise to be with us through every journey.
That day in the Minneapolis airport, my daughter was a traveling mercy for her distracted mother. Rebekah was a traveling mercy for Abraham's servant. This week, watch for the traveling mercies along your own path. And remember that even a simple act of kindness may become a sign of God's love for someone else.
Question for Reflection:
- When has someone shown up at just the right time for you?
Prayer:
Loving God, thank you for walking beside us wherever life takes us. Help us recognize your mercies and share them with others. Amen.
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