G
Several months ago I had an encounter at a fast food place.
It had been a long busy day, and as much as I dislike eating out, sometimes I'm glad it's an option. This one particular night was one of them.
STRESS, STRESS ,and more STRESS. Thing is I can't even recall what all the stress was over. All I remember was sitting there waiting for my "to go" order, which had been messed up and would be another 15-20 minute wait.
*SIGH*
I was going through a time where it felt like the Lord had gone so far away. Truth is, HE NEVER LEFT!!!!! (Hebrews 13:5)
Rather it was I who was slipping away. Allowing cares of the world to overtake me, spending less and less time in the Word...... until one day I found myself wondering how I got so far away.
So there I was sitting in the middle of this food place, nice and quiet with only 1 or 2 other customers around. On the verge of tears, I just knew as soon as I got my order and back into the car I would have a "boo-hoo" session all the way home.
The door opens and in runs 3 or 4 little ones, about the same ages of my own (who were driving me batty and I was glad to be away from at the time).
"Oh Lord
" I thought " I DON't NEED THIS RIGHT NOW!"
Next walks in mom. They order and sit down a few tables away from me.
Now my eyes are closed as I am trying not to burst into tears. I open them and look at their table, and even in the midst of chaos, kids bouncing around as they do.... things that my kids do that would have made me bonkers by then...... here was this mother, so calm, so peaceful......
then it hit me:
A peace that I hadn't felt in a very long time. The PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING. ( I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS IN THE 4 WALLS OF A "CHURCH)
So right there in the middle of this food place, the love and peace of God just fills the room!
Now I am about 1 eye blink away from those tears falling....
they called my number (FINALLY)... I got my food and started to walk out. But first:
I stopped by her table and tapped her on the shoulder.
I swallowed hard b/c by now the tears were starting to drip.
She turned and smiled at me, the sweetest smile I'd ever seen.
With one deep breath (and tears flowing) I told her (something like)
"Thank you for bringing Him with you"
She smiled, knowing what I meant.
We chatted briefly and she prayed WITH me.
Then I left.
The ride home was still a "boo-hoo" fest, but not the one I thought I was going to have.
Beloved:
THAT'S how we, who claim to be His, should be living our lives. That we walk into a place and everything changes b/c we let Him shine through us.
It had been a long busy day, and as much as I dislike eating out, sometimes I'm glad it's an option. This one particular night was one of them.
STRESS, STRESS ,and more STRESS. Thing is I can't even recall what all the stress was over. All I remember was sitting there waiting for my "to go" order, which had been messed up and would be another 15-20 minute wait.
*SIGH*
I was going through a time where it felt like the Lord had gone so far away. Truth is, HE NEVER LEFT!!!!! (Hebrews 13:5)
Rather it was I who was slipping away. Allowing cares of the world to overtake me, spending less and less time in the Word...... until one day I found myself wondering how I got so far away.
So there I was sitting in the middle of this food place, nice and quiet with only 1 or 2 other customers around. On the verge of tears, I just knew as soon as I got my order and back into the car I would have a "boo-hoo" session all the way home.
The door opens and in runs 3 or 4 little ones, about the same ages of my own (who were driving me batty and I was glad to be away from at the time).
"Oh Lord
" I thought " I DON't NEED THIS RIGHT NOW!"Next walks in mom. They order and sit down a few tables away from me.
Now my eyes are closed as I am trying not to burst into tears. I open them and look at their table, and even in the midst of chaos, kids bouncing around as they do.... things that my kids do that would have made me bonkers by then...... here was this mother, so calm, so peaceful......
then it hit me:
A peace that I hadn't felt in a very long time. The PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING. ( I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS IN THE 4 WALLS OF A "CHURCH)
So right there in the middle of this food place, the love and peace of God just fills the room!
Now I am about 1 eye blink away from those tears falling....
they called my number (FINALLY)... I got my food and started to walk out. But first:
I stopped by her table and tapped her on the shoulder.
I swallowed hard b/c by now the tears were starting to drip.
She turned and smiled at me, the sweetest smile I'd ever seen.
With one deep breath (and tears flowing) I told her (something like)
"Thank you for bringing Him with you"
She smiled, knowing what I meant.
We chatted briefly and she prayed WITH me.
Then I left.
The ride home was still a "boo-hoo" fest, but not the one I thought I was going to have.
Beloved:
THAT'S how we, who claim to be His, should be living our lives. That we walk into a place and everything changes b/c we let Him shine through us.
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