Unexpected Blessings | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Unexpected Blessings | Previous Challenge Entry
By Wanda Draus
10/08/14
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There are times when God seems silent and we have to hold on tightly to God’s promises even though answers seem far away or impossible. There are times when God answers in huge ways; turning around the prodigal child or healing an illness.

Years ago, I worked at a major hospital in the Chicagoland area as a Medicare patient representative. As a newly single mom, this job was my first full-time position in many years.

My responsibilities included billing Medicare hospital charges for reimbursement on the patient’s behalf. It also included making phone calls and meeting with patients to ensure proper adjudication of their claims. Before the days of outsourcing, it was a very personal way to meet with the patients and explain their charges. I fondly remember one elderly lady bringing me a “shopping bag” of bills for me to sort and explain, while she enjoyed a cup of coffee.

A typical meeting with a patient would start at the information desk. Depending on the insurance carrier and the alpha split, the receptionist would call the appropriate representative and we would take a printout of all the patient’s activity and meet them in a room provided for consultation.

One late afternoon, I met with a lovely couple to go over their recent hospital stay to make sure there were no outstanding charges before they left for Florida. We went through each line item for each visit and resolved whatever questions or concerns they had. When that was settled we engaged in a few minutes of conversation about Florida, the weather, and I soon bid them a safe and healthy trip.

It was Friday and close to the end of the day. I was looking forward to the weekend after just moving my sons and I into an apartment the previous week. The boys were going to visit there dad and that meant I had some free time.

I made plans to visit my girlfriend for some tea and much needed girl time. She lives on a few acres with horses and I always enjoy the peacefulness at her home. When I arrived, she opened the door with a huge hug and a smell of this wonderful scent.

As I breathed in the fragrance, she whispered, “Estee Lauder’s latest perfume; Beautiful.” I made a mental note to put that on my wish list, since I sprayed the last bit of my perfume that morning. I felt just a tinge of mixed emotions, as it would be a long time before this single mom could afford such a luxury.

On the drive back home, I was thinking about the perfume and other sacrifices that would be made over the coming years and about the life that could have been. The snow was beginning to fall and from a desperate heart, I prayed, asking the LORD for His help. This was unchartered territory for all of us and I didn’t want to mess it up too bad-we had a long way to go.

For the rest of the weekend, I sorted and organized boxes and tackled the mountain of paperwork on the kitchen table.

Monday morning the boys returned to school and I went off to work. I had just turned my computer on when a call came from the front desk. The couple I helped Friday wanted to speak with me. Hmmmmm, I was pretty sure I went over everything but I took a printout and met them in the consultation room.

As I entered the room, I was greeted with a warm hell-o and an exquisitely wrapped gift. They wanted to thank me for my help and giving them peace of mind before their trip. I assured them it was part of my job but graciously accepted their gift.

As I passed all the other 6x6 cubicles on the way back to mine, I nudged one of the other reps. and showed her the lovely gift bag. She smiled back and claimed half of the contents, if the gift box revealed cookies or fudge.

I carefully took the bow and wrapping off to see what lovely surprise awaited. There in the midst of lavender tissue was a bottle of “Beautiful.” Like a slow moving river my tears flowed, because there are also times when God answers unexpectedly, letting us know He is involved in every detail of our life.

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He shall give you the desires of our heart. Psalm 37:4

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