So about to head home from church and had a very distinct thought that I shouldn’t.
God speaking?
I turned the car the other way – meaning at least an extra 20 minutes to get home.
I explained…
I don’t think God wants us to go home…
What did He want us to do? I immediately thought maybe a garage sale, but really had no idea. I asked teh family to think and be open to where God was leading.
‘we could hand out tracts at thesupermarket’ came one suggestion – yes we certainly could! Great idea…
As we drove along towards the only way home, we passed a sign that had been painted “Lawn Sale”.
‘Let’s go’ Sharmini exclaimed – met with my pesimistic ‘we don’t need any grass!’ as we had alreayd now passed the turn off.
But we turned around and headed back…
And there he is…
There was a man on his driveway – the same painted sign saying ‘sale’ with a heap of different furntiture. We pulled up to have a look, though had a feeling it wasn’t about the goods!
I made friendly talk with this guy, jacks & coke in hand, who immediately started sharing about his life & struggles. Moving to get make a fresh start due to a whole heap of hard and bad experiences.
After about 10 minutes, I simply said:
‘mate, I know you’re going to think I’m weird, but God just told me to come here to see you…’
What? No kidding, He wants me to tell you He loves & has been protecting you. He wants you to experience forgivness…
Tearswelled up in his eyes as he shared his parents were Christians (Lutheran) but he had been doing ‘bad stuff’ and he hadn’t seen his children for years.
He shared about quite a lot of stuff, very thankful I was willling to listen – until I said look do you mind if I pray with you.
‘Sure’
I put my hand out to shake his hand while I prayed, but instantly knew god wanted me to hug him.
God wanted me to hug him 😮
Let’s back up a second – this guy is 5 – 10 years older than me. He’s drinking a Jacks & coke on Sunday afternoon and God wants me to hug him? No way!
Thankfully, I have experienced God’s love so this wasn’t actually a big deal like it would have been in years passed. I just hugged him hard and started to pray…
He wept as I prayed and he never let go of me neither. I prayed God’s love, forgiveness and thanks for and over him – for quite a while. It was like God’ heart was aching to reach this guy.
When I had ended he agreed, wiping his eyes and exclaimed ‘boy it’s a long time since I talked to the Lord’!
It’s a long time since I talked to the Lord!
We talked some more, I bought some stuff off him, gave him a Bible, exchanged numbers and finally left.
An amazing hour, well spent! We were all very hungry now and still 40 minutes from home so decided to go withthe other suggestion too & hand out tracts at the supermarket.
Free fruit for the kids, bread & cold meat on special and free chook scrap lettuce and lunch was the least exciting part of the day!
Another few ‘God-incidents’ in giving out tracts to people who really need Jesus and it was time to head home.
What a GREAT way to spend a Sunday lunch time?!