As I was driving to work this morning I was reminded of something simple and I wanted to share it with you.
Driving down the Suncoast Parkway in the mornings is usually pretty uneventful. Speed traps are the only thing to keep you mindful of your drive. This morning, I was reminded of something that I saw a while back.
I was driving as usual when I came upon a person in the median broken down. A gal was kind of leaning up against her car with a "what do I do now?" look on her face. Cars, going 70 will not be able to slow or stop for the reality of getting creamed. She was stuck and seemingly unwilling to make a move.
Here is what caught me:
She was at the base of an incline in the road. As I came over the top of the incline I was able to see 2 highway patrol sitting at the bottom. They were probably chatting and waiting to catch someone flying over the hill. To the gal, however, they might as well have been 50 miles away.
But they were right there!
No more than 50 yards away. Help was right there. Right over that next hill.
God "caught" my mind in that moment.
How many times when things break down in our life, is God right over that next hill? He is right there, but we stay in the broken place, not wanting to trek the hill, see what is on the other side?
Maybe today in your life, God is saying,
"C'mon. Just a little more. Get up, get going, take that hill. Freedom is just on the other side!"
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Craigslist Ministry. Wanna Buy Some?
It's no secret that I am a firm believer that God works more in the Church than in the church. Most all of my ministry is done outside the walls of any church building and will continue to be true for the rest of my life.
This experience, however, was unexpected.
Let me tell you how it all happened:
Living in a house half the size of our one in Iowa has caused considerable congestion over the years and our garage in so full we are unable to park a car in it, alone attempt to walk through it. After a failed attempt at a garage sale, I decided to put a couple items on Craigslist to see if I had any takers. One item was an entertainment center (real nice, no room for).
As expected I had a number of different inquiries. I was only asking $25 and it was a nice unit. For whatever reason, one guy caught my attention over the previous inquiries so I gave him a call. We talked and then an e-mail exchange came about. It was simple enough. He came by, we talked, he let me know he was trying to get work, so he was making one trip (get the unit, find a place to change and head to an interview 1/2 hour away). The man's name was "CJ" and was late 40's and kind. He also sheepishly asked what my bottom price was, as he was trying to pinch every penny possible. I told him $10 and he thanked me. As he went to the truck to back it in, God thumped me upside the head and let me know that this is a grand opportunity to just bless someone.
When he got out of the truck, we loaded the unit in and he went for his wallet. I told him, just take it. It was just taking up space and I am glad he could use it. He stopped, smiled and thanked me. He explained how hard it was to find the right job in the right place (or any job for that matter). I was once again very thankful for my employment and opportunity to do what I do. As he went on his way, I told him I would be praying for him on his search and waved him on.
I figured that would be that. I moved on with my day and hoped he enjoyed his new find.
That night, I got this e-mail:
Hey CJ~
Hi again Todd,
He gives us opportunities every day.
This experience, however, was unexpected.
Let me tell you how it all happened:
Living in a house half the size of our one in Iowa has caused considerable congestion over the years and our garage in so full we are unable to park a car in it, alone attempt to walk through it. After a failed attempt at a garage sale, I decided to put a couple items on Craigslist to see if I had any takers. One item was an entertainment center (real nice, no room for).
As expected I had a number of different inquiries. I was only asking $25 and it was a nice unit. For whatever reason, one guy caught my attention over the previous inquiries so I gave him a call. We talked and then an e-mail exchange came about. It was simple enough. He came by, we talked, he let me know he was trying to get work, so he was making one trip (get the unit, find a place to change and head to an interview 1/2 hour away). The man's name was "CJ" and was late 40's and kind. He also sheepishly asked what my bottom price was, as he was trying to pinch every penny possible. I told him $10 and he thanked me. As he went to the truck to back it in, God thumped me upside the head and let me know that this is a grand opportunity to just bless someone.
When he got out of the truck, we loaded the unit in and he went for his wallet. I told him, just take it. It was just taking up space and I am glad he could use it. He stopped, smiled and thanked me. He explained how hard it was to find the right job in the right place (or any job for that matter). I was once again very thankful for my employment and opportunity to do what I do. As he went on his way, I told him I would be praying for him on his search and waved him on.
I figured that would be that. I moved on with my day and hoped he enjoyed his new find.
That night, I got this e-mail:
Todd,
It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you very much for holding the entertainment center for me until I could get out there today. I was very touched by your generosity; I don't come across that alot these days, especially in this economy. Hope all goes well for you and your family. Thank you again very much; it helped that I was able to accomplish everything in one trip. Best of luck . CJ.
I thought to myself. Very cool! Love that he could use it and was so happy with it!! I was also prompted by the Holy Spirit to share a bit more with him. So I sent this e-mail in return:
It was a pleasure meeting you as well. I am glad you are able to use the entertainment center. As a follower of Christ, this is the way we should operate. Give when you have. God has put people in our lives when we have needed so we pass that way of life on. Funny thing is I had 6 different responses to this and chose yours. Glad I did!
I will be praying for you to find the right job in the right place.
Take care (and shoot anything you might need prayer for my way! You have my info :-)
Blessings~
Todd
That return e-mail was on the 21st of April. I "threw" that line into the ocean to see what response there would be. I figured none, but at least the generosity of a Christ-follower to be planted in his head. Time went by and nothing. I just let it go and had honestly forgotten all about it. Until Friday. Friday I got another e-mail from CJ.
And what it said BLEW ME AWAY!
Just thought you might like to know, your prayers worked. I start a new job on Monday and it's "the right job in the right place", as you mentioned.
I hope all is well with you and your family.
I never really believed in the power of prayer. After meeting you and as a recipient of your generosity, I am now a believer.
Just to let you know, my new job will allow me to help others, just as you've done for me. I'll be making prosthetic devices. Thank you again.
Peace,
CJ
I cried.
I thank Jesus that I could be used and I was able to stop being a self-centered idiot for a moment and hear something God was saying.
Realize I write all this not to say "Look what I did!".
That's not it at all. I just happened to (for once) get something right. But rather, this reflects how we are to live. That God is ALWAYS WORKING and wants us to join Him.
He gives us opportunities every day.
If we stop and listen..and then DO..we then start truly living the Adventure and Abundant Life that Jesus promises.
And that is a promise you can count on. FOR ETERNITY!
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