The Wrong Number

by Lynn Ludwick

An unfamiliar telephone number showed on my caller ID, so I answered with my most businesslike I-don’t-want-any voice. However, the caller wasn’t selling; he was seeking, although I assured him he hadn’t reached a tire store. I offered Yellow Pages assistance and read off a few phone numbers. Unfortunately, as he relayed the numbers to his buddy, they discovered all the store’s local branches had closed a half hour ago. The two guys hailed from out of town and now found themselves stranded with a flat tire.

Though wanting to be the Tire Good Fairy, in reality I couldn’t help them. I wished them the best, hung up and whispered a prayer on their behalf. A new tire, a witness of God sort of prayer.

Wrong numbers can sometimes be annoying, but they happen. Once, though it wasn’t a wrong number, I’m sure I provided great amusement for a salesman. I didn’t catch what he was peddling, thought it a personal matter regarding a relative and we chatted for at least ten minutes. At the end of the conversation he reiterated his purpose—oh dear, he was setting up appointments for hearing tests. Eh?

One thing I know, however—no wrong number is possible when God is involved, either His call to me or vice versa. Whenever I ring Him up He’s ready to chat. He’s even given me His direct line. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 He’s available twenty-four/seven, the line is never busy, and He’s up for either a quick question or a long heart-to-heart. And He truly listens, with no misunderstanding on His part. Even if I’m unable to articulate my need or heartache, He discerns my meaning. When I don’t comprehend what He has to say to me, He works with me.

Wrong numbers represent inaccuracy—my fingers hit the wrong buttons, I read or wrote down the number incorrectly, or my memory fooled me. But God never misdials. When He punches in my number so to speak, it’s me and only me He wants to talk with. But if I ask amiss, or misunderstand scripture, God is patient, never in a huff or sarcastic. Nor has He ever hung up on me.

I so wished I’d been able to help that wrong number guy, but I had nothing to offer. I did my best—a couple of phone numbers and a cheery attitude—but neither of those fixed the hole in his tires. I’m so glad God doesn’t answer my calls for help with useless information and nice-sounding platitudes that fail to solve my problems or give me direction.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

Lynn Ludwick writes from Medford, Oregon. lynniegirl45@hotmail.com