“Be bold; mighty forces will come to your aid.” That’s an adage I’ve long believed in. But there was a moment in my life that has led me to believe if you’re lost, sometimes mysterious forces will come to your aid.
At that time, when my family was struggling, I sought a job with Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services. This was a bold move, for I had no diploma, having dropped out of school to marry. Eventually, though, I passed the test and got the job.
My assignment was to locate and assist needy families, but locating them was sometimes difficult since they often lived in remote places with no obvious address. This particular day I’d been asked to help a needy family (no father present, little money or food, frightened mother and children) living near Lake Texoma, in rural Oklahoma. This was dangerous country, but I felt it was my duty to find them. I drove all morning with little to guide me, and in this gun-crazy backcountry you didn’t knock on just any shack and ask for directions.
Finally, in early afternoon I parked in the shade of a cottonwood tree and began to pray, asking God to direct me. I then looked down the lane I’d already driven over twice. There was a lone mailbox plainly emblazoned with the family’s name!
My visit went well; we’d be able to help this family with food and clothing.
As I was leaving, the grateful mother marveled that I’d found her house. “It wasn’t hard,” I said, “once I saw your name on the mailbox.”
“My name?” the woman said to me, mystified.
Going back to the road, I examined the mailbox again. There was no name. No name at all.
