Our Eleventh-Hour God

A week before Not Alone Group started, five women signed up. I was feeling grateful and happy.  Then two days later, two dropped and one was iffy.  “What??” Why God??   I thought you called me to do this!”  I felt like a little kid who was given an ice cream cone and then had it taken away before I could take a bite.

So, I started sending out flyers again. I don’t like bugging people, and yet I need to let them know there was still room in Not Alone Group.

Two spiritual directors responded to my flyer, telling me they forwarded it to a survivor of trauma. I was glad I sent out those flyers.  Promoting and marketing have been a struggle for me. But I don’t want to bury my talent, like the lazy servant in the Parable of the Ten Talents.

It was Sunday, and the group was to start on Monday. The woman who was iffy reached out and said she wasn’t feeling well and could not make the commitment to group right now. I told her, like the others, I do want God’s best for her and to take care of herself. 

I only had two. I would meet and discern with them: Do we go ahead or do we postpone until we have a few more?  Then one woman reached out on Sunday afternoon, saying she wants to join my group and asked if we could talk about it. So, Monday morning, we did, and she joined the group. Then at 1:00, another reached out. She came as a referral from one of the directors to whom I had sent the last batch of flyers, too. “What?  Are you kidding God? Group starts in one hour!”

There is an application and interview process to do for Not Alone. During the interview, I explain the practices, the group process, and requirements. Then, they can ask me questions and share what they are looking for. We decide together if this is the right fit for them.

Well, I chose to let go of my process this time.

I called her immediately, explained briefly what the group is, sent the link, and then we will go from there.  What a joy she has been! She is committed and hungry for God.

A few days after, I met with my spiritual director and told her what happened. She said, “Haven’t you heard of the 11^th hour God?” 

“No,” I replied. “I want the 1st hour God.”

She talked about God showing up in the 11^th hour and then asked, “What does God want to teach you?” 

“To Trust,” I replied. “If God has called me to this, which I believe he has, then it will come about.” 

I also want to let go of the resistance to marketing. I get emails from directors about groups, offerings, along with other companies and even spam.  I read some and others I delete. Even Chicos bombards me with daily emails.  They are always having a sale. I often delete it. But I am not irritated as I do shop there.

The group is already bonding and is a delight to journey with. God knew who the right women at the right time would be.

Even though I wish He was always first hour God, I am so grateful that He is also an 11^th hour God.

I will do my part, and let God do his. Then I will wait. And most of all, Trust.