"GOD KNOWS YOUR NUMBER"
By Ken Gaub
Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are
and what you're doing every minute of the day? I certainly do after an
amazing experience I had several years ago. At the time I was driving on
1-75 near Dayton, Ohio, with my wife and children. We turned off the
highway for a rest and refreshment stop.
My wife Barbara and children went into the restaurant. I suddenly
felt the need to stretch my legs, so waved them off ahead saying I'd join
them later. I bought a soft drink, and as I walked toward a Dairy Queen,
feelings of self pity enshrouded my mind. I loved the Lord and my ministry,
but I felt drained, burdened. My cup was empty. Suddenly the impatient
ringing of a telephone nearby jarred me out of my doldrums. It was coming
from a phone booth at a service station on the corner. Wasn't anyone going
to answer the phone? Noise form the traffic flowing through the busy
intersection must have drowned out the sound because the service station
attendant continued looking after his customers, oblivious to the incessant
ringing. "Why doesn't somebody answer that phone?" I muttered. I began
reasoning. It may be important. What if it's an emergency? Curiosity
overcame my indifference. I stepped inside the booth and picked up the
phone. "Hello," I said casually and took a big sip of my drink.
The operator said:" Long distance call for Ken Gaub." My eyes
widened, and I almost choked on a chunk of ice. Swallowing hard, I said,
"You're crazy!" Then realizing I shouldn't speak to an operator like that,
I added, "This can't be! I was walking down the road, not bothering anyone,
and the phone was ringing..." "Is Ken Gaub there?" the operator
interrupted, "I have a long distance call for him."
It took a moment to gain control of my babbling, but I finally
replied, "Yes, he is here." Searching for a possible explanation, I
wondered if I could possibly be on Candid Camera! Still shaken, perplexed,
I asked, "How in the world did you reach me here? I was walking down the
road, the pay phone started ringing, and I just answered it on change. You
can't mean me." "Well," the operator asked, "is Mr Gaub there or isn't he?"
"Yes, I am Ken Gaub," I said, finally convinced by the tone of her voice
that the call was real.
Then I heard another voice say, "Yes, that's him, operator. That's
Ken Gaub." I listened dumbfounded to a strange voice identify herself. "I'm
Millie from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. You don't know me, Mr Gaub but I'm
desperate. Please help me." "What can I do for you?" She began weeping.
Finally she regained control and continued. "I was about to commit suicide,
had just finished writing a note, when I began to pray and tell God I
really didn't want to do this. Then I suddenly remembered seeing you on
television and though if I could just talk to you, you could help me. I
knew that was impossible because I didn't know how to reach you, I didn't
know anyone who could help me find you. Then some numbers came to my mind,
and I scribbled them down." At this point she began weeping again, and I
prayed silently for wisdom to help her.
She continued, "I looked at the numbers and thought, Wouldn't it be
wonderful if I had a miracle from God, and He has given me Ken's phone
number? I decided to try calling it. I can't believe I'm talking to you.
Are you in your office in California?"
I replied, "Lady, I don't have an office in California. My office
is in Yakima, Washington." A little surprised, she asked, "Oh really, then
where are you?" "Don't you know?" I responded. "You made the call." She
explained, "But I don't even know what area I'm calling. I just dialed the
number that I had on this paper."
"Ma'am, you won't believe this, but I'm in a phone booth in Daton,
Ohio!" "Really?" she exclaimed. "Well, what are you doing there?" I kidded
her gently, "Well, I'm answering the phone. It was ringing as I walked by,
so I answered it."
Knowing this encounter could only have been arranged by God, I
began to counsel the woman. As she told me of her despair and frustration,
the presence of the Holy Spirit flooded the phone booth giving me words of
wisdom beyond my ability. In a matter of moments, she prayed the sinner's
prayer and met the One who would lead her out of her situation into a new
life.
I walked away form that telephone booth with an electrifying sense
of our heavenly Father's concern for each of His children. What were the
astronomical odds of this happening. With all the millions of phones and
innumerable combinations of numbers, only an all-knowing God could have
caused that woman to call that number in that phone booth at that moment in
time.
Forgetting my drink and nearly bursting with exhilaration, I headed
back to my family, wondering if they would believe my story. Maybe I better
not tell this I thought, but I couldn't contain it. "Barb, you won't
believe this! God knows where I am!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
God also knows where you are. You can place yourself in His hands,
concentrate on knowing His will for your life, and He will never forsake or
forget you.
Have a pleasant day!
Sincerely,
Alex Quirante
"There is always a better way of doing things, there is nothing best!" -> A
motto for progress.