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I know it has been a while since I have written anything, but I feel the need to spread HIS graciousness… to express just how amazing my God is!
Earlier, several years ago, I posted about a young man who was in desperate need of God. I could not locate this post, so I will try to give you an idea of our encounter.
Each Tuesday night, several years ago, my friend Joy and I would go to Books-A-Million, grab a coffee and a few books and just relax. On one particular Tuesday, she was running late and I sat there alone reading my devotional and drinking coffee. A young man approached me and said that he could not help but notice the cross I wore around my neck. He wanted to know if it was just jewelry or if it meant more than that. I told him it meant that I was a follower of Christ. He asked if he could sit down and ask me a few questions. I said yes and that conversation lasted about an hour or so. His questions were pointed. He wanted to know why. Why his childhood was so painful and violent? Why had people who claimed to be Christians has been so cruel to him? Why God would allow this if He was supposed to be the embodiment of love? He was well read, including the Bible, and had lots of questions there to. Especially about the book of James. The whole time we talked I prayed. I was so scared I would say something wrong, but God gave me the words, provided me with answers, and calmed my spirit. The young man stated that he was a buddhist among other details of his past. When our talk was done and we parted ways I knew his life story, but only his first name. Before he got out the door I was lifting him up to God, begging for His intervention in this man’s life.
That was several years ago. I have prayed for him constantly, burdened by the thought of him spending eternity in hell. I have also struggled with why God placed him in my path. The peace that I felt as we spoke that night has somehow dissipated and again I felt unworthy and unequipped. I could name so many people who could have answered his questions better. So I kept asking, why me?
Last night.. God showed me. Once again, I was sitting at BAM with my friend Joy and my daughter Mackensie. When I walked in I saw him sitting at the same table he was at the last time. I sat down with Joy, who was sitting in the same place where our conversation took place so long ago. He kept looking over as if he recognized me. I felt I knew who he was, but was too scared to walk over and speak with him. I thought that he might not even remember our conversation..that was years ago. He eventually got up and walked away. I went, as always, to the Christian Living section to find something to read. And then… there he was.
He approached and began a conversation about books. Then he asked where I attended church. He asked my name, which I gave and then told him I knew his. I reminded him of our conversation years ago in the cafe. I told him I had prayed for him ever since. He seemed surprised that all this time I had lifted him up to God, praying for his salvation. He told me my prayers had been answered. Not only was he saved, but now called to preach and teach God’s word.
He thanked me for all the times I’d prayed for him, and asked to pray for me. And so.. right there in the middle of Books-A-Million we praised God for His faithfulness and then he began praying for me. I can not describe to you what I felt. All I can say is that God made Himself known in those moments, as sure as if He was standing there with us.
When our prayers ended this man looked at me and smiled. He told me it was pressed upon him to tell me that God had a great plan for me. That He would bless my ministry. He also told me that something had been causing me great pain, but that I had a healing coming. We parted and I was so filled with the Spirit I could not contain it! I have told all who will listen… and even some who half listened.
Lately, I have been feeling a bit useless to God. I kept trying to figure out what I had ever really done to advance the kingdom and dealing with the restlessness of not knowing how to do more. Then… God blessed me with this glimpse of what prayer and being a willing vessel can do for HIM. And in the process reminded me that it is HIS plans that matter, not mine.
Thank you Father! I needed that!
