Ron Whited is used by God

My brother-in-law, Ron Whited, is the living definition of serendipity: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. It seems fitting that Ron is from Liberty, Missouri, for he walks his own path, or the path he is directed to walk. At 76, he is just reaching his peak of usefulness to God and man. You'll see what I mean.

Recently, Ron had some plans for the day fall through, so he decided to take a drive to Atchison, Kansas, one of his favorite towns. It was a pretty day for a drive, and Atchison isn't that far. It's on the Missouri River, and Ron wanted to just sit on a bluff and view the river. There's a lot of history in Atchison. Lewis and Clark floated the river, and it's the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. Also, Atchison is the home of Benedictine College. It has a beautiful Abbey where priests are taught and a chapel that has mass every day at noon. Although not Catholic, Ron wanted to take in the mass and just enjoy the beauty and splendor of the chapel and the feeling of being close to God.

On the drive to Atchison, Ron was hungry, so he pulled into a popular fast-food restaurant, not for a burger, but oatmeal that he knew they had. He was delighted at the deliciousness and non-filling lightness of the hot cereal. Energized, he drove on to the parking lot of the Abbey and took in the view. Between his car and the river there are three bronzed, Middle-Eastern style statues. One was of Mary, one of Joseph, and the other of Jesus when he was 12. Ron got out of his car and looked at the plaques beneath the statues. They had Bible Scriptures on them about Jesus when He was left behind and was talking to leaders of the temple. “I'm doing my Father's business,” he told his parents.

Ron looked around. It was a beautiful day, with white puffy clouds against a gorgeous azure sky. There was no wind, and the trees stood stately, as if lifting their hands to the heavens. At a nearby gazebo, there was a student on his knees. He had a backpack on. Ron thought the student was praying or meditating. The student glanced around and saw Ron. Ron smiled at him, and the student smiled back. Ron walked over to him, got down on his knees and said, “Isn't this a beautiful day?”

The student looked Ron in the eye and said, “God sent you. My grandfather just died and I came here to pray.”

Ron was overwhelmed. He put his arm around the student's shoulder and said, “Do you mind if I pray for you?”

“I'd like that,” the student said.

Ron asked him what his name was — it was Cole — and Ron prayed that God would help Cole with his loss, that the good things he knew about his grandfather would be incorporated into his life, that Cole would do well in school, have a good career and that God would bless him.

Cole looked at Ron again and said, “Thank you, Sir. I feel so much better.”

Ron said goodbye to Cole and went into the noon mass at the chapel. The service was absolutely beautiful. It was in Latin, but the homily was in English. Ron was humbled. He doesn't consider himself anything special, but he knew without a doubt he had been sent that day to Atchison, Kansas, and that he had been used by God to help Cole.

Back in Liberty, Ron and his wife Becky organized a group of high school boys who call themselves “Wiseguys.” Ron tells them in all sincerity that God will direct their paths if they are wise, willing and receptive to His guidance. Some of the guys listen, some don't. Some are willing, and some are not. And that's OK with Ron. You never know when the message will sink in. He prays for them daily.

Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526, email him curtswarm@yahoo.com, or visit his website at www.empty-nest-words-photos-and-frames.com

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