I still remember that day, I slipped and fell in the bathroom. My feet shot into the air and I fell with a thud on my back. I gingerly opened eyes and found that except for a slightly bruised elbow, I was none the worse for wear. I cautiously glanced around; I could have hit my head on the side of the tub, have blacked out or fallen over. I looked up and whispered a thank you prayer to God, then suddenly felt ashamed: It had been a long while since I’d said thank you to Him.
I looked up and smiled. I knew it was a gentle reminder that He had missed me. A father, out of parental concern and a desire to teach his little son responsibility, told him to phone home whenever he arrived at his friends home a few blocks away. The boy forgot. The first time he forgot, the father called to make sure his son was safe.
A few days later, the boy went over to his friend’s place, but the father waiting at home for the call, found the phone lying silent. So, he went to his phone and dialed the number of his son’s friend. He dialed then hung up. A few seconds later the phone rang and it was his son, “I’m here dad!”
“What took you so long?” his dad asked. “We started playing and I forgot. But dad, I heard the phone ring once and I remembered.” “I’m glad you remembered son,” said the father happily. “Have fun.” One ring. Just a gentle reminder that a father was waiting for his son’s call!
How often we get that one ring. I got it in that fall, nearly hitting my bathtub. “Hey Bob! I’m missing you!” “Lord I could have lost my life!” “Thought I’d remind you that I’m holding you!” “Yes Lord, but the fall?” “Was the only way you’d remember me son!”
And so, it is in all our lives. One fall to tell us to get back to God. One death of a friend to remind us that life is short and to live more meaningfully. One loss of an increment to remind us of the poor and starving outside. One ring, when our car doesn’t start in the rains, to remind us to be gracious to employees who come late.
One leakage on our ceiling to remind us of those whose homes have been washed away and others who are homeless and need aid. I wonder what your ring is? Mine was nasty but it got me calling back immediately..!
