My morning started out as a typical Sunday morning, right up until “we” decided that we would wait to go to church during second service. Fred and I started out with my daughter Ashley romping around the house being very silly this morning. Which should have been a precursor to what a GREAT morning it was going to be, she is of the age that parents are so NOT cool! J
Fred and I were getting ready for church when I noticed that I was supposed to volunteer at the Choir Booth this morning, so I quickly finished getting ready and left before Fred and Ashley. As I arrived at Crossroads, I was walking rather quickly when this adorable child stepped into my path. She had this scared little look on her face, so I crouched down in front of her, so I was less intimidating, she obviously had something to tell me. She sat there for a second, and her mom said, “she has a valentine present for you.” The small girl then placed a brown paper bag in front of her, holding it with both hands. When I took it from her I shook her hand and Thanked her for her kind gift. She shook her head, and turned quickly to find her spot next to mom. Her little brown curls bouncing out the tempo her feet made. What a wonderful child of God!
After visiting with some very wonderful people at the choir booth, (and of course sharing the wonderful story about this little child and her gift) I went looking for my family so that we could enjoy the service together. We normally sit in the same section every Sunday, but this morning was slightly different. Ashley, had picked to sit in another section that required some maneuvering to get to! J
Pastor Chuck gave a wonderful service, and at the end of service we do an alter call, so that others may come to know God and his undying love for us. During the prayer time, my mind kept going to this young man and woman sitting in the row in front of me, about 6 seats to the left of me and my family. After the prayer time we ask that those that have prayed the prayer to come forward. I could not get this couple out of my mind, I felt very moved to go speak to them. I battled the “voice in my head” arguing that it would be crazy to go speak to complete strangers! After a very heavy mental push, I explained to my husband, who proceeded to tell me that I should do what was in my heart. I hesitantly moved forward across people and towards the couple, I immediately focused on the young woman when I placed my head between them, “Excuse me, I hate to bother you but I have to tell you that God says He is with you, he hasn’t left you through all of this, but it is time to come home.” She turned and looked at me, with tears in her eyes, as her eyes she quietly said, “I was just praying for the courage to go forward, and I said, I wish I knew someone here to go with me.” I began to cry with her, and I hugged her, she asked if I would go with her. I very enthusiastically agreed.
As we were walking down the stairs and going towards the front, things I had no idea about started coming out of my mouth. I had never met this young woman, but her story and trials were right there! It was the weirdest and at the same time the coolest experience. It was like my thoughts were in the back of my mind, and God was using my voice and actions for HIS purpose…AMAZING…..
Looking back I can see he has prepared me for this all week, it is rather funny how he drops subtle hints, and I completely miss them until the BIG picture. At the beginning of the week a wonderful young lady from school went with me to drop Ashley off at High School ministry, were she spoke with Pastor Cody and rededicated her life to the Lord, and has been attending Generate. A friend of mine was telling me how a young woman had come up to her daughter once and gave a message that was on her heart, and that message was from God. I remember thinking how amazing that would be to witness God using people to deliver HIS messages.
Oh and the ripple effect his works has on others, it truly makes me speechless! After I left with this young lady to go to the alter, her friend prayed with my husband. He was struggling and found great comfort in prayer. After my husband’s very warm greeting he asked about Men’s group and plans to return to Crossroads! The woman sitting directly behind this young couple, asked my husband if we knew the couple and he told her no, she said that was the most wonderful thing she had ever witnessed and at that moment “knew” that God could give messages in many ways! The decision Counselor that the young woman connected with, her story was similar to the young woman’s. So many ways that God lined up his day with his people, the way he wanted it!!!
So now I sit at home and I marvel at the wonder of his love and his peace. I decided to read the card that came with my present from the little brown haired angel. Inside was written, Romans 8:35-39, and in reading the scripture, I am again overwhelmed, at the way he delivers his wonderful messages, even if it comes in the form of a brown paper sack.
35Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? 36Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.(A) 37Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors [a]and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. 38For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things [b]impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thank You Father God for the wonder of your love, I pray for us all to be able to see your gifts in all the things that we normally shrug off as coincidence.
AMEN
