This morning I was at the pool with my two little girls I take care of, one was swimming and the other asleep in the carseat. I decided to pick up again a book a friend lent to me recently. It is called “The Shack” by WIlliam Young.
I had barely opened to the page I last left off when the Holy Spirit spoke to me quickly “Go tell that lady on the other side of the pool that she needs to read this book”. I was a little taken back since I had never met her but had seen her there daily as well. Before I chickened out I quickly got off of my chair and went to where she was sitting.
Feeling a little goofy I told her, “I don’t know why but I just felt like that I need to tell you to read this book, would you be interested in reading it if I brought you a copy with me tommorow?”
She asked me what it was about and I really couldn’t even tell her since I only began it recently myself. She agreed that she would read it if I brought it, I don’t even know what happened next but suddenly I was telling her that God is going to give her favor with a situation she has going on, and that He is extending the septor to her and no matter who fights against her they will not suceed with their attacks.
Instantly that opened the door and she proceeded to tell me of how her son was murdered a year ago, she went through a divorce in the last year, she is head over heels in debt and on and on. She said also that she has even been calling around to churches this week just looking for someone who will pray with her.
After listening for a while, I told her ” I know I am much younger than you but I would love to pray with you and spend time being a support system for you”. She agreed right away and we kept talking for at least thirty minutes. At one point she said she had chills from the things I was saying because it was exactly what she had been praying right before I walked up.
I was impacted by this encounter as well because I realized the desperate need to listen to the Holy Spirit and to immediately respond when He says to GO. Most of all I was moved with the compassion and love that I could feel God had for this lady.
Before I left I gave her a hug after she had just told me she has NO ONE at all to pray with her or even be her friend. She was so receptive to what I had to say and we are going to meet together this weekend and pray.
The Lord was reminding me after this situation that there are so many broken people just aching for someone to step out of their comfort zone, reach into their world and just show love. Truly, we are the hands and feet of Jesus and if those of us who are followers of Christ are not doing that, who will?
And most of all He was reminding me that we tend to compartmentalize where, and when we can minister to people when probably the most effective ministry takes place in day to day routines. Going to the grocery store, hanging out with kids at the pool ect.
This week alone I have met many mothers while I am with the kids swimming, I keep seeing the same thing, people who are lonely, hungry for love, searching for someone who will show them attention. A The most bizarre part is that this club we go to is filled with people who have LOTS and LOTS of money but that isn’t answering the desires in their heart.
I am so grateful the Lord has placed me in this enviroment, and pray that He continues to lead me to be someone that can show compassion and the love of Jesus.
