The Lovely Maguana Qualls

             May I introduce you to the lovely Maguana Qualls? I met this dear lady a dozen years ago when the beauty in her store window drew me inside. I ahhed at the beautiful items and flower arrangements that greeted shoppers. Immediately, I knew whoever ran this store had an artistic eye. The creations and layout were flawless.

            Then came a greeting from a few steps further behind a counter. “Hey!”

            Now, “hey” might seem a strange way to greet someone unless you’re “mountain.” I mean the Appalachian brand of mountain. That’s how everyone greeted each other when we lived in southeastern Kentucky, but we weren’t in that region of our “adopted hometown” now.

            We began a conversation. I learned “right quick” Maguana Qualls hailed from southeastern Kentucky, and although she’d left home eons before, the warmth of the mountain ways stayed with her as customers could’ve just as well been “kinfolk.” I felt very at home in her presence.

            I also recognized this lady was my sister in Christ—the next reason I warmed to her, making us genuine blood-bought kin. Maguana radiated Jesus! So, although our income didn’t allow me to be a frequent buyer in her lovely shop, sometimes I popped in just to say “hey!”

            When again God prepared us for another ministry move, I stopped by one last time to purchase something-Maguana to take with us. And, although, this lovely lady never made great profit from my purchases, I became richer through knowing her.

            I reconnected with Maguana a few years later via social media. On Facebook she posted vignettes which only affirmed what I’d already learned—that this lovely lady’s heart hungered after the Savior she inordinately loved.

            Then tragedy! Flames engulfed Maguana’s store, leaving it in complete ruins.

            Here’s where I’ll turn the story over to the lovely lady herself, as I’ve asked Maguana to share her testimony—how God ministered to her during huge loss and what He brought out of the flames.

            “I've been a Christian since I was 17 years old. That doesn't mean I was always on the straight and narrow path. There were a few times I strayed but not too far. I love my God, and I love serving Him.

            We all go through trials in our life that strengthen our faith. My faith was really tested when we lost our flower shop due to a fire in March of 2022. I could have questioned why and maybe I still do a little, and I could have been mad or upset with God, but I chose not to. In fact, I was calm and serene. I realized I'd lost something, but that something was just material things.

            God provided an empty store front the day after the shop burned. I never once looked back. I just moved forward and still am because I know my God will take care of me. Something beautiful came from those ashes on July the 4th a year ago when we reopened. I thank God every day for the business He gives me, but mostly I thank Him for loving me.

            God’s love always shows up when we are troubled … changes everything and everyone who receives it … protects and breathes life and purpose into every minute of every day. God’s love is a gift beyond measure that surrounds us and covers us when life falls apart—and even when life is good.

            Do not believe the lies of the enemy when he tells you that your God has forsaken you. God is with you—Emmanuel. He endured the cross, completely, and alone because He loves you. No one can take your place in the Father’s Heart. God knows your pain, and He understands. God created you and paid for your sin for one reason alone—He loves you, and True Love always shows up.” —Maguana Qualls 

“All my heart to Him I give—Ever to Him I’ll cling,

In His blessed presence live—Ever His praises sing.

Love so mighty and so true—Merits my soul’s best songs;

Faithful, loving service, too—To Him belongs.

Love lifted me, Love lifted me—When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.”

 

(from hymn “Love Lifted Me” by James Rowe, 1912, public domain)

#MaguanQualls #shop #fire #God’sLove #theFathersHeart

(Photo used with permission.)

An Unexpected Time in the "Necessary Room"

            Hubby and I enjoyed dinner out, having been given a restaurant gift card. At the close of the meal as we boxed our leftovers, Brian said, “If we get to my appointment early, maybe I’ll be able to come with you to yours.”

            We’d timed our busy day carefully. 1) Eat out. 2) Stay with Brian at the ophthalmologist until I must leave for my pulmonology appointment. 3) Go to mine and be blown away by awful news. 4) Return to pick up Brian because his eyes would be dilated. 5) Wipe tear-filled eyes and drive us home. All planned, but…

            In my heart, I wished Brian could be with me. After all, I was about to learn what kind of lung disease I had in more detail. But his glaucoma was not being nice, so we couldn’t postpone this appointment. We settled, instead, for a nice meal together and stopped before leaving to use the “necessary rooms.”

            “I’ll wait here and watch our doggy bag while you take your turn,” I said plopping on a lobby bench with my portable oxygen. “Then I’ll make a ‘pit stop.’”

            When Brian reappeared and picked up the bag, I added, “I can meet you at the car.” He headed out, and I went to “do what needed to be done.”

            As I washed my hands afterward, a lady stepped up to the sink on my left.

            “Hello,” I said and continued washing.

            “Hello,” she replied. “How’s your day going?”

            “All right,” I replied, although that probably wasn’t totally true, as I was anxious about my appointment, forthcoming bad news, and tricky timing of it all—but why dump that on a stranger? Instead, I asked, “How ’bout yours?”

            “I need prayer,” she said and seemed shaken.

            I stopped washing and turned toward her. “I’ll pray for you. What’s your name?”

            “Joy.”

            “Is there something specific you’d like me to pray about?”

            “Anything and everything,” she blurted, tearing a couple paper towels from the holder and handing me one of them. “What’s your name?”

            “Sarah.”

            “I’ll pray for you, Sarah.”

            “Thank you, Joy.” I dried my hands and tossed the paper towel into the trash. “And I’d be glad to pray for you,” I said as another lady entered the ladies’ room.

            “Did I hear someone say they’ll pray?” she asked, walking toward us.

            Joy turned her way. “Yes, we’re going to pray for each other.” A smile swept over her face.

            This lady also smiled. “I love the Lord and know He cares about both of you. I’ll pray for you gals also.”

            We learned her name was Amelia, and suddenly I found myself in her and Joy’s arms as we spontaneously hugged one another.

            Strangely, I felt some of my load lift, and I also smiled. I wish I’d prayed with them at that moment. I didn’t, feeling I needed to excuse myself and get to the car so we could arrive early for Brian’s appointment time.

            When I got into the car, I shared the experience with my hubby.

            “Did you tell them your prayer need?”

            “No. I just figured God already knew and would take care of it.”

            We left for Brian’s appointment which is generally long, arriving 30 minutes early. He asked the receptionist if it might be possible to be seen ASAP so he could accompany me to mine, the urgency of which he explained in a nutshell.

            “We’ll do our best,” the receptionist said.

            And she and everyone else involved did! In a half-hour, we were done, and I teared up, realizing God already intervened because we’d go to my appointment as a twosome.

            At mine, I didn’t receive the doom and gloom news I’d expected. No, it wasn’t all wonderful, but it held some promise.

            Brian nudged me as we waited to check out. “Our prayers were answered today.”

            And they were.

            All in all, the day I’d dreaded completely turned around, marked by that meeting of sister-strangers in a restaurant ladies’ room. A blessing, not only to me, but to those two women who shared a hug and a promise.

            I will keep this commitment, praying for Amelia and Joy. In time I may forget their names (my aging brain does that), but I hope I don’t forget to lift “whatever-their-names-were” in prayer. And may I remember that very special time in the “necessary room.”

            Sometimes God works in unexpected places and unplanned times. I think I needed those ladies at that moment, perhaps as much as Joy needed someone to pray for “anything and everything.”

            How ’bout I pray for you who stop by to read my jottings! In that prayer, I’ll ask God to use you, even in unexpected ways. And may you also encounter JOY…

            …perhaps an AMELIA too!

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

 

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness—Take it to the Lord in prayer!

 

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His Arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

 

(from the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Medlicott Scriven, 1855, public domain)

#doctorappointment #ophthalmologist #pulmonologist #time #prayer #burdens #FriendinJesus

Photo Credit—Ruth Voelker Burland (used with permission)