
This week has started out with surprises. I woke up Monday morning lying in bed, talking to God; my mobile rang. It was my sister and her husband from Tennessee. To say it was nice hearing their voices at 6:45 in the morning is an understatement. Their phone call showered me with love, and I lay there thanking God for my family. As we were talking, my doorbell rang.
Who could be ringing my doorbell at 6:55 in the morning?
I thought I was hearing things. When I ended my call, the doorbell rang again. I jumped out of my bed to run down the stairs to see who it was, and a man was standing before my door with work clothes on.
The first thing I did was to calm down because I was sure he had the wrong house.
When I tipped my door open, I said, “Yes, may I help you?”
“We’ve come to repair the damage in your basement,” he answered.
I didn’t roll my eyes or ask him if he knew what time it was or say I didn’t know they were coming and that no one had notified me. I just told him to wait a minute, and I would go downstairs and let them in.
Then I ran upstairs thinking, “God, you sure know how to surprise me.
This was God’s gift and way of showing me He’s got humor.
So, I quickly dressed and canceled breakfast with a dear friend I treasured very much. I went downstairs to let the men in my basement so they could repair my office.
Some of you know that my office is in my basement. I have been out of it since May 2nd of this year because of the floods we had in my area. I had fallen into deep despair because my office is where I write. The world that I’ve built for the characters I write for is in my office, and I love it.
I will be able to move back into it over the weekend. To say that I am thankful is again an understatement, so I’ll say that God is good, and my heart is filled with gratitude to see a new year. Without God, I am nothing.
Many thanks to all of you who reached out to me on the first day of my new year. All of you are so amazing, and I will do my best as a writer, or whatever else I am called to be, to be true to the One who knows all and is overall and created all and to keep finding God’s life for my will. To God be the glory, Amen.
Shalom shalom
Pat Garcia

I’m glad he’s watching over you and bringing you joy. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Wonderful heartwarming story. Nice to know strangers arriving at dawn can bring good things. And a call from your sister? So special and withing 15 minutes of each other.
Such a beautiful post, just like your lovely and gracious day.
I’m so happy for you that you can go back writing in your ‘Happy Place’. You deserve it. You know, it might be possible I don’t write at this moment because I don’t have a Happy Place. I’m glad you got yours back! Happy Writing!
Such a loving testimony!
Dear Pat,
It’s so good to share a little of your life! Like Shirley, I was concerned about the intentions of the workers. Trust has been eradicated in the US. I’m happy you’ll be back in your writing space!
What a lovely beginning for the day! Happy Sukkot!
Pat, the first thing I thought was don’t let that man in unless you are sure he is who he says he is. In Michigan a homeowner met his demise letting a utility worker in or so he thought. But this is America and it is our new reality. I’m so glad you don’t have that worry and God is watching over you. And I’m glad you got your basement repaired so your life can return to normal again.
Thank you for sharing your day with us.
Praise God for His faithfulness, Pat! So good to hear you’ll soon be back in your office and for the phone call from your sister and her husband. Indeed, God shows us His love in many ways, and He certainly does love you! Your rescheduled breakfast with your dear friend will be filled with joy as well as good food. May God’s rich blessings continue to surprise and bless you!
Kudos for recognizing the gift in your unannounced visitors. Not everyone would graciously let the men in your basement so they could repair your office, especially since you had to cancel breakfast with a dear friend. 😀
What sweet passionate person you are. All Glory belongs to God, as He watches over you giving you wonderful blessings. I love the article. Just keep on writing. People will notice your work