I woke up knowing I had to go to a specific store that day even though I had other plans. I never even thought about it being a nudge from God. As I got ready for the day I planned to leave at ten but after several unusual phone calls and a visit, I left 45 minutes later than I planned. As I was checking out at the store, I heard the clerk and customer in front of me talking. The customer had lost her twenty something year old son in April. The clerk was telling her she lost her son eight years ago. The clerk wrote down her phone number and told her when she is ready to talk to call her - sometimes it helps to talk with someone who has already been there. They talked about the pain caught in their throat, the elephant on their chest and the physical pain. They knew exactly what each other were talking about. I was so overcome by this that I could hardly speak but I had to. I told the customer I would like to pray for her and would she mind giving me her first name. She did and her tears started while telling me, "thank you, I need a lot of prayers." She told us both that she was not coming there today but God had nudged her and now she knew why. As I told her, I was not planning on coming either.
When she left the clerk had to get herself together and I could feel the heartbreak in the room and it was suffocating! I could not imagine! I did not feel I could speak but when the clerk thanked me for praying for the other woman I had to. I said I would like to pray for her also. She quickly gave me her name and said, "I have not been to church in eight years." Before she could finish she had to stop due to the tears. "I am still mad at God." I told her that that was ok and He is big enough to handle that. I believe those tears were relief from having said her feelings out loud. She kept thanking me for the prayers. As I walked to my car, the customer was still in her car and rolled her window down thanking me again for the prayers and sharing, again, that she knew God had sent us both there. When I got to my car I was a mess and had to get myself together. I knew I had been in the presence of God that morning. As I promised, I pray for those who have lost a loved one. When I get up during the night I pray for those, by name, to be resting well and ask God to give them comfort and peace.
I think one reason I was so overcome with emotion all day was that I knew I was being used by God and that is a humble place to be. What an honor in the Christian community to be able to pray for one another. Ephesians 6: 18, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." And while I pray for their grief, I thank God for bringing good from this tough situation. I believe this includes the clerk coming back to Christ and to His church. Romans 8: 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God was using the clerks struggles to sympathize and help another broken hearted mother.
Throughout the Bible we see people praying for each other. Moses prayed that God would be merciful to his people. Deuteronomy 9: 26, "I prayed to the Lord and said, 'Sovereign Lord, do not destroy your people, your own inheritance that you redeemed by your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.'" Daniel prayed that God's people be freed from exile. Jesus prayed throughout His ministry. Apostle Paul began his letters to the Philippians by assuring them that he is praying for them. Philippians 1; 4-6, "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
While I get embarrassed that tears come so easily for me I try to remember that they are not always negative tears. Sometimes they come from an overwhelming gratefulness from God's love and goodness. I thank God for guiding me to where I was blessed that day. I leave you with 1 Thessalonians 3: 12-13, "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."
As you finish this please send up a prayer up for my two friends - God knows who they are. Thanks!
Yorumlar