God’s Love Language

Some years ago, I had a job that required me to work three morning shifts and two noon to eight o’clock shifts. My husband worked the second shift but was off on different days each week. One late shift day, I caught the bus to work so he could sleep in and we would not have to disturb our infant son. This was a day off for my husband, and he picked me up at the end of my shift. However, he arrived late, and boy, did I let him have it.

I ranted for several minutes without giving him a chance to explain his delay.

The hurt look on his face stopped my tirade, and I finally let him speak.

He had accidentally locked the keys inside the car trunk.

Although I was ashamed of my behavior, I did not apologize just yet.

God still had some work to do to bring me to repentance.

He did not waste any time. The next morning was my day to arrive early at work and open the tutorial lab for the allied health professionals.

On this particular morning, I drove to work and parked.

The instant the front car door clicked shut, I remembered my keys were not in my hand. Oh no! There they lay on the front seat. I could almost hear God say to me, “See how easy it is to accidentally lock your keys in the car?” I had less than ten minutes to retrieve my keys. I waved over two campus security officers and explained my situation.

Fortunately, they believed me and jimmied the lock open.

Thanking them profusely, I grabbed the keys and dashed across the street. I quickly opened the movie room door across the hall from the lab.

Then I opened and relocked the main lab door.

I dashed to the back, pulled out the VCR machine, and ran back to the front to secure my personal things. Finally, with only a minute to spare, I was ready to open.

Although this happened many years ago, I still remember it like it was yesterday. God taught me a lesson about patience and kindness—and demonstrated His love toward me.

I had still been able to carry out my duties on time.

I felt both chastened and cherished. God cared enough to gently rebuke me. I finally apologized to my husband. In our faith journey, may we always look “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).

Barbara Burris Neequaye