@BisbanoWrites

I guess I’m not going to the conference, I said to myself. I was convinced you wanted me to go, Lord.

I began to close my laptop—BING.

In 2015 I asked God to allow me to go to the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. It would be my first time at a large conference. His gentle spirit whispered to mine, you will be there.

We couldn’t afford the conference, airfare, and food so I applied for a scholarship, convinced I would get one.

I received the email stating that there were so many applicants and unfortunately, I was not awarded a scholarship. It’s ok, Lord, you have another way to get me there.

March, and April passed. May was well on her way. Our awaited tax refund would cover the entire cost of the conference, Lord, please let us get the money soon so I can go.

Meanwhile, the women’s leadership team from my church asked me to speak at the retreat being held the weekend Blue Ridge started.

“I’d consider it an honor, but I might have to leave Saturday night to fly the next morning to a writers conference.” I trusted God would get me there.

“We’re fine with that, Cherrilynn.”

I knew God would get our tax refund to us in time. The Friday of the retreat I called the bank to see if the monies were deposited. No. When I arrived at the conference that evening, I called my husband to see if a check came in the mail, just in case the IRS messed up.

“No good mail, honey,” he said.

“God has until tomorrow to come through or I won’t be able to go to the conference. I know he can do it, but I’m getting nervous,” I said.

“Honey, I’m so sorry. I wish we had the money,” he said.

“I’m not worried, I can’t be, I need to be present at this retreat and let God worry about Blue Ridge, I love you!”

“I love you, too,” he hung up.

I joined the others for a night of laughter, chocolate, and prayer requests.

Saturday morning I called the bank. No deposit. OK Lord, they must be sending a check, or you will provide some other way. But, I’m nervous. Did I hear you correctly? You must help me focus on the retreat.

I joined the ladies. We played games, learned about God, and ate great food. It was ten minutes to four and almost time for me to speak. I phoned my husband.

“Any good mail?” I held my breath.

“A card addressed to you!” I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Open it, open it!” My heart stopped for a second. Maybe this is how God is going to answer.

“It’s a thank you card for speaking last week,” he said. “There is nothing in it.”

“I want to cry, honey, why would God impress so heavy on my heart that I’m going?” I sighed. “Well, He created the world in six days, He can get me there by tomorrow night.” I hung up and help back the tears.

I fought tears of disappointment as I spoke. The ladies thanked me for the teaching. I felt guilty that I worried but I still began to lose hope.

Lord, the conference starts tomorrow night. I just want to know that I heard you correctly, that is more important to me than going to the conference. I fell asleep with a wet pillow and peace in my heart.

I arrived home Sunday morning around 7:30. I opened my laptop to let my Facebook writing friends know that I was not attending the conference. My husband and I agreed that spending that much money, when and if we get it, for just a portion of the conference was not good stewardship. My heart broke and my spirit was crushed. I really thought I heart you correctly, Lord. As I started to close the laptop—BING!

It was Edie Melson from Blue Ridge. The message, There was a last-minute cancellation from a scholarship winner, can you get down here?

“What!”  I almost typed, nobecause I made up my mind that I wasn’t attending.

“Honey, God came through, can I still go?” I screamed so my husband could hear me.He ran upstairs. I showed him her message. I jumped up and down clapping my hands.

“All I need is the flight money, food, and lodging. We can afford most of that.”

“Do it!” My husband said.

I arrived in Ashville, NC at 11pm. God performed many miracles that week. I made so many new friends. I added to my writing tool box. The biggest lesson I learned—My last minute is God’s perfect timing.

What has God promised you? Are you still waiting? When the time runs out and all hope seems lost, trust that He will follow through on His promises. I’d love to hear how our Abba answered your prayer, last minute. Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services.

As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah-nominated Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.