I want to tell you about something spectacular that happened to me last Thursday night. It’s like one of those sparkling jewels you tuck away into a little treasure box; then you take it out later to explore from every facet…for the rest of your life.

Let me back up. A few months ago, a friend invited me to have lunch with her and a few other writers. I arranged childcare and drove an hour and a half to the restaurant where they were meeting. Well, I missed a turn along the way and got horribly lost. So I called my husband from the car, and he guided me there by satellite imagery. (Cool, huh?)

Since I walked in a few minutes late, everyone was already seated. I would have chosen to sit near my friend, but it seemed easiest for me to sit at the end of the table closest to the door.

My seat was right next to author Marion Bond West!

To say I was starstruck is an understatement. I’ve been reading Marion Bond West’s stories in Guideposts since I was in middle school. She takes the most ordinary events of life and tells them with such amazing detail and spiritual insight that you feel like you’re there, experiencing it all with her, and marveling along the way.

So, I talked to her throughout lunch, hoping that I wouldn’t say anything astronomically stupid. Right as we were leaving she said, “Oh, I’m coming to speak at a church near you. Sometime in November. Why don’t you write me, and I’ll send you the details.”

So I did. And she wrote back telling me she would be speaking on November 17. Well, I marked it on my calendar and didn’t give it another thought until I turned the page in my planner in early November. Oh — there’s that day she’s coming to speak. No problem — I’ll just call and preorder a ticket.

I called and left a message on a woman’s answering machine. She called me back the next day and said, “I’m so sorry, but all of our tickets have been sold out.” What! Sold out! “Oh no!” I told her. “I met Marion Bond West recently, and she invited me to come. I wish I’d called sooner.” We chatted for a few minutes, then she told me she’d be on the lookout for a ticket if anyone cancelled.

A week before the dinner, I got a phone call. I recognized the woman’s voice. “Well, Heather, I’ve got some good news for you,” she said. “I’ve found you a ticket! And the Lord put this on my heart — I really feel strongly about this. Would you like to come sit with me and my daughters, and Marion and her husband, at the head table?”

Would I? Would I! If she could have seen through the phone, she would have seen me jumping so high I put a dent in the ceiling!

So, I drove alone to the church that night. It was freezing cold outside, and I parked in a sea of cars. I wondered how many people were there — more than I expected. I figured she might be speaking before an audience of 300 or so.

I was wrong — I found out the church sold 700 tickets!

A teenage boy driving a golf cart (named Jake) stopped at my car and asked if he could give me and another woman a ride to the church gym. He drove us to the front door, which glittered in white Christmas lights. I’d forgotten — the event is called “Christmas Extravaganza.”

When I walked inside the new building, I was stunned. It was dark, the room lit only with candles and tiny white lights. Every table displayed a unique set of china and elaborate Christmas centerpieces. And the electric buzz of 700 happy women (freed from an evening in the kitchen!) was awe-inspiring. I felt like I was entering into a glamorous ballroom.

A high school girl came up to me and said, “You’re Heather Ivester. Here’s your ticket! You’re sitting at the table with me and my mom.” (Her mother is the lady who called me, the one in charge of the event.) She smiled, “I have to tell you, she’s never been so excited about giving someone a ticket before!” (It turns out she reads my column for moms in a local magazine; the pastor of this church also writes a column in the publication as well.)

She pointed out my table — #4. In the front of the room, right under the spotlight of the stage. I was one of the last ones to sit down. When I finally got to the table, I could see my namecard on a china plate. In the seat right next to Marion Bond West! I sat to her right, and her husband sat to her left. I was amazed!

I asked her right away, “Are you nervous? You’re going to be speaking in front of 700 people!”

“Oh, I’m fine,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what I’m going to say. But I know God will give me the words.”

As we waited for our dinner, I enjoyed hearing all about their recent trip to New York City where they’d attended a Guidesposts writers’ workshop. We also talked about her daughter, Julie West Garmon, who’s flourishing in a writing career of her own.

I was afraid of saying too much — I kept thinking, she must feel so jittery inside. She’s about to get up and speak in front of 700 women! After we finished our meal and heard some beautiful singing entertainment, Marion went up on stage to give her speech. She carried no notes with her at all.

“I only have one story to tell you,” she said. “This is my testimony.” She told us how exhausting her early years of mothering were, how she’d stopped going to church because she was too tired from taking care of four small children (including twin boys). She had us all in stitches as she described her frustration. (And I can’t wait to write her a letter and tell her exactly how her speech ministered to me.)

She talked about what it’s like to feel “shipwrecked” in a sea of fear — and how God provides an island for you, called Trust. Then she told us the story of how she became a widow, and later met her present husband, Gene. He responded to an article she wrote in Guideposts on overcoming depression. It was amazing to hear her tell that story while I was sitting there watching his reaction. I also found Marion’s Marriage online.

Afterwards, Gene went up on stage and gave her a kiss. Then we all found a little gift under our table — a tiny golden picture frame with the word “Nevertheless” written in calligraphy inside. This is based on Marion’s book, The Nevertheless Principle. I also brought home chocolates, a book about Jesus, and a camera full of pictures that I’ll copy and send to people. I asked Marion to autograph the Table #4 card and she wrote, “Heather, how exciting to be with you tonight. Bless you! Love, Marion Bond West.”

I walked back to my car alone in the dark, teeth-chattering cold. But my heart was blazing with joy. How does God love me so much that He let me have such a rich, dazzling evening as that? I forgot to mention, I saw several of my children’s teachers there, as well as dozens of people I knew — everyone smiling and happy. And I got to sit next to the keynote speaker!

So, it all goes back to my being late to that restaurant and sitting next to Marion — and following through on her invitation. And the faithfulness of the woman who found me the ticket — she knew God wanted me to be there.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. God is so faithful, even when we aren’t. I’ve been so discouraged lately; I really needed an evening like that. He cared about every last detail, even down to the chocolates I brought home in my purse.

(c) 2005 Heather Ivester