“Actually, I do. And I want to tell you much more than I have, but not right now. It’s important that your husband be part of the conversation. I know he has been suffering in his own way. So, let’s meet again when we can all be together. I suspect I’ve already given you more than enough to think about!”

“I would like to have Mitch there, but I’m so anxious to learn more. I’d like meet again soon, but he’s away on a business trip and won’t be back until the weekend so—”

“In Portland, yes, I know,” Joanna replied.

Carolyn’s jaw dropped, and before she could say anything, Joanna continued.

“Don’t worry. We’ll get together the day after tomorrow. I would like the two of you to come downtown to Cleveland and visit our church, so we’ll have a chance to speak at length.”

“But Mitch won’t be back yet,” Carolyn insisted.

Joanna began to gather her belongings. “Don’t worry, my dear. Things have a way of changing as the universe directs. It’s a spiritual contract, and it’s out of our control. You don’t mind if I leave by the front door, do you?”

“Of course not, but … you mean you drove here by car?”

“Well, how did you think I got here? I didn’t fly!”

They walked to the door and hugged again on the front porch.

“Carolyn, it’s been so nice to meet you.” She scribbled on a piece of paper. “Here is my number. Call me after you speak with your husband. And feel better! God has heard your prayers.”

“Help is on the way!” she added with a smile as she turned and walked down the steps.

“I can’t tell you how much better I feel already, Joanna. Thank you so much!”

Carolyn stood at the door while Joanna climbed into her fairly battered blue minivan. “I’ll see you soon,” she shouted as she watched Joanna wave, pull away from the curb, and finally turn the corner.

She shut the door and leaned against it. Then she remembered something she’d heard a television minister say that morning. It hadn’t made sense at the time, but it had stuck in her mind all day: “You can’t find God, because He isn’t lost.” It was a silly little play on words, but then the preacher had made the connection with patience and doing things in God’s time.

The man had said something else that struck her: “Faith is easy when things are going your way, but you need to work for it when you are in the midst of your own storm.”