Marnie stared at the phone in her hand, shaking her head in disbelief. On a whim, she called the radio station to enter the contest, never expecting she’d actually win. Now she was the recipient of a free trip for two, airfare included, to a Christian music festival the following weekend. She allowed herself a moment to let it sink in.

             Excitement coursed through her veins. She was going on an adventure! But who should she take? She mentally scanned through her friends and acquaintances. One name sprang to the front of her mind. Linda.

              Linda? Where did that thought come from? Her coworker was always kind, but unusually quiet. Was she even a Christian? Why would Linda, whom Marnie barely knew, want to go on a weekend trip with her? Still, the impression was strong to invite her. Was this a God thing?

              Marnie had learned over the years when God wanted her to do something, it was always best to obey. She put down her phone and finished getting ready for work.

              Arriving at work early, she took a detour to Linda’s desk. Her timid coworker nearly jumped when she approached and called her name.

              “Oh, hi Marnie,” Linda said. “What brings you to this side of the cubicles this morning?”

             Second thoughts kicked in. Why was Marnie even asking Linda? As far as she knew, Linda never did anything social with coworkers. Rumor was, her husband was pretty controlling. Still, God prompted this, and Marnie was determined to follow through.

            “You might find this strange, but I won tickets this morning in a radio contest for an all-expenses paid trip to a Christian music festival in Nashville.”
            Linda gave a polite smile. “That must be exciting. Congratulations.”

           Marnie bit her lip. “Thanks. The reason I’m bringing it up is because I thought you might like to go with me.” There. She said it.

           Linda’s eyebrows shot up underneath her bangs. “You want me to go with you to Nashville? Why me?”

           Marnie dropped her gaze to the floor. “At the risk of sounding completely insane, I feel like God wanted me to ask you.”

           Tears welled in Linda’s eyes. “You think God wants me to go to Nashville with you? When?”

            “It’s this weekend. I know it’s short notice and we hardly know each other, but…”
            “I’ll go,” Linda said.

            Marnie blinked. “You will?”

            Linda’s eyes were wide, frightened, but something steeled in her gaze. “I will. Can we leave straight from work on Friday?”

           “We’d have to leave early…”
            Linda nodded. “Yes, that would be perfect.” Her voice shook. “Marnie, thank you. This may sound odd, but can you promise me not to tell anyone I’m going with you?”

            Marnie tilted her head toward Linda, the unspoken question on her lips, but a peace in her heart told her to be still. “I promise.”

           Friday afternoon, Marnie made her way back to Linda’s cube. “Are you ready?”

           Linda stood immediately, her eyes wild. “Yes. Are you driving to the airport?”

          “No, the radio station is sending a car. They’ll be out front any minute.”

          Linda exited her cube and started walking toward the front door, empty handed.

         “Don’t you have a suitcase?” Marnie asked. “Or even a purse?”
         Linda’s gaze dropped to the ground. “I’m not taking anything along. I hope that isn’t a problem. You said it was paid for.”
            “It is, but don’t you want a change of clothes or a toothbrush or something? Do you even have ID with you for the plane?”

           “I have a driver’s license. It’s in my pocket,” Linda said. “It’s supposed to be for emergencies only, but I know where he keeps it.” Her hands shook as she said it. “Can we just go?”

           Marnie followed Linda to the front door. What had she gotten herself into? Who goes away for the weekend and takes nothing along?

           The entire ride to the airport and all through security, Linda fidgeted, continually looking over her shoulder. Not until the plane left the runway did Linda appear to relax. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “We did it. We actually did it.” She turned to Marnie. “I think you just saved my life.”

          “I don’t understand.” Marnie said.

          “I’ve been trapped for a long time,” Linda said, her voice nearly a whisper. “My husband lets me go to work, but that’s all. He drives me to work and picks me up, but otherwise never lets me leave the house.”

          “That’s awful,” Marnie said.

          “He was so sweet in the beginning, but things changed after we married. Now I live in fear of what he’ll do if I make a mistake. I’ve been praying for weeks for a way to escape. Then you show up at my desk offering me a free trip to Nashville, where my sister lives.”
            Marnie stared at her. “So this trip is a way for you to get away from him?”

            Linda smiled, a tentative one that didn’t quite meet her eyes. “He never let me have a phone, and all the money I make goes directly into an account that he controls. I could never get away before.”
            “You never said anything.”

            “He told me this was the life I deserved. I believed him for a while, but a little voice inside my head told me there was more to life than what I was living. I started remembering Bible verses from childhood and have been praying to God to show me the way.”
            Marnie’s eyes burned with tears. “I’ve never called the radio station before. When I won, I was shocked. When I thought about who to invite, God impressed your name on my mind. What will you do when we get there?”

            “If it’s ok, with you, I’d like to go to my sister’s. My husband doesn’t know where she lives, and she’ll take care of me from here.” Linda patted Marnie’s arm. “I’m sorry about the concert. Thank you so much for listening to God’s prompting.”

            Marnie blotted her eyes with a tissue. “I’m not worried about the concert. I’m so grateful God let me be a part of taking care of you.”

Matthew 7: 24-27

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

God, You work in mysterious ways. When we hear a prompting from You, please strengthen us to listen, to do Your will. Help us to build our lives on the solid foundation of Your words. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your plan to help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.