“Whatever He says to you, do it.”-John 2:5
After a justifiable— tearful rant, I received a hug I didn’t know I needed. I took deep breath and started my day. The Holy Spirit sent a word to comfort me through a hard moment. I’d been looking for work for an unreasonable amount of time. A few promising interviews came only toy with strained resources and emotions. Sporadic, freelance gigs came and went with stark silence between them. Eight months of nothing followed. Loved ones held me down as they could. While grateful for help, I was at a breaking point.
On my way to get air and a new game plan, the LORD led me to Isaiah 41:10.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10
A few blocks later I was led to Proverbs 1:33.
“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
Proverbs 1:33
The emotional storm calmed. I felt seen. I took another deep breath and decided to run errands and reset before making any more moves. While considering a glass of wine, I remembered some needed personal items and pivoted.
Off We Go!
While comparing prices in the supermarket, a man walked up to me and said, “can you help me?” “I need some help.” Naturally confused, I said “umm…ok, what do you need help with?” He said, “I need some foil.” Me thinking— bruh, I don’t work here, while looking up at the aisle signs ask, “do you know where it is?” He said, “yes, but I need help.”
Staring silently in bewilderment I said, “uhh, what do you need then?” The man proceeded to tell me that he moved here from another state, he’s been homeless for 18 months and just got a place. He said, “I’m hosting a a Bible study at my place and I need the foil for some ladies to prepare dinner.” Me considering the $36 in my account and a mountain of debt to repay says, “oh”.
I paused for a few seconds. I curiously wondered, “is this a test?” Of all the people in the supermarket, why did he walk up to me with such certainty? Did God sent this man to me? Is this an opportunity to give in faith?
During the brief silence, I remembered Matthew 5:42 Jesus said “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Following this, I remembered Luke 6:38 where Jesus said, “give and it shall be given unto you, good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom…”
I remembered Mark 12:41-44 when the poor widow that gave a two coins in an offering plate and Jesus said, she gave more than the rich. I remembered John 14:26 when Jesus said, “…the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance the all things I said”.
Ok, That’s Bible
I humbled myself, listened to the man, and asked him to lead me to the aisle. While walking, the man began to ask about aluminum pans and foil. I resisted the temptation to say, “I’m struggling too” and asked, “how much is the foil?”
What he picked was too much for both of us. I said, “oh I can’t afford that one but I can help you get a less expensive, quality foil.” I found something reasonable. We proceeded to the check out counter. I suggested a better place nearby for him to buy the aluminum pans. He said, “ok! I’m just gonna go for it”! Not knowing what “go for it”meant, I said, “yea, you should, someone else may bless you there.”
While waiting on line, the man said, “I ain’t ashamed to ask for help. If nobody knows that I need help, I won’t get nothing”. I nodded in agreement as I sacrificed one of the items I needed and paid for our things. I said within, “hmm, that’s a word … I may need to pray about an area in my life that I may be hesitant asking for help in.”
While handing the foil to the man, I said, “God bless you, do you need a bag?” He said, “yea, a bag would be nice”, then opted for sticker instead. He asked the cashier, “can I have a sticker so they know that it’s paid for”? He got the sticker, gave thanks, and headed out of the store.
After paying for my items, I walked through the mall looking for a place to sit and saw a shirt that said “nothing impossible”. I remembered earlier, a man passed by wearing a hat that said “believer”. I whispered out loud, “God, I trust you”.
Press Play
To be continued…
Part II Coming Soon
- God can use whatever we have even if it’s little.
- Give what you can, when you can. It’s guaranteed to return to you.
- Be discerning but open. God can use anyone to get a message to you.
- Remember to entertain strangers— could be an angel. (Hebrews 13:2)
- God won’t leave you hanging. Believe & stand— even when you don’t understand.
- Take a nap when you’re tired. Stop & laugh when you’re thinking too much. Take it one day at a time.
SOURCE REFERENCES
John 2:5, John 14:26, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 6:38, Matthew 5:42, Luke 1:37, Romans 10:11, Biblegateway.com
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