Just a Kid in the Amazing Kingdom

Okay.  So it didn't take long.  Today, I saw a Facebook post from a long ago friend, she and her baby in the E.R. at Rady Children's Hospital.  Asking God if I should visit, my wife (who works there) calls requesting I bring some medicine she is in need of from home.  Considering this confirmation that I am to go and pray with my friend and her 102 feverish daughter, I grab my Bible, some oil and head off. Arriving at the hospital, I meet the Ace parking attendant sharing my reason for visit(s) so I won't get charged...cheapscape that I am.  As I tell her I am a pastor and will visit a friend as well after I drop off meds for my girl, she, in passing asks me to remember her in prayer.  I tell her I will, park and head to Carrie's office.

Arriving at her desk, Carrie is busy on the phone.  I decide to wait for her to finish (rather than drop and go).  As I do, my friend posts on Facebook that she arrived home at 6 am and caught some sleep (why she didn't post anything until then).  Bummer.  I won't get to see a friend and pray with her, a sweet and wonderful friend I haven't seen in years.  I remember teaching with her and she wondering if God would bring her the right man (after a serious break up with her guy). I told her I'd pray and sure enough, not only did He send her a man (a wonderful man), He also blessed her with three amazing daughters as result, the youngest home from the E.R.

End of story, right?  Nope.  While driving out of the parking lot, the Ace attendant I spoke with started on her break and walked right in front of my truck.  Rolling down my window, I pulled out a card asked her name and how I could pray for her.  Marissa (sp.?) spoke of losing her job 3 years ago, her mom last year, living in her mom's home with family that is moving out along with her pile of bills.  She also told me she was writing to God (she's been doing a lot of that lately) when I drove up earlier.  She was blessed, and so was I to hear our lives shared similar life stories...you know, loosing my father in July, underemployed working at Lowe's for 2 years, etc.  Coincidence?  I'm not feeling that!  She continued telling me that she has stopped going to the Lord to keep asking Him for stuff.  Instead she was asking Him what to do and trusting Him for answers this year.

My soul was filled with prayer for her then and as I made the 23 minute drive here to Einstein Bagel to post a GreifShare poster on their community board...and have a bagel with coffee.  My soul will continue to ask God for His rich provision for her this year...and something tells me He will.

Just when I thought I should take a hiatus from my blogging, thrust into my life is another story worth telling, God leading these footprints of faith.  I hope Marissa is there other times when I get the opportunity to see Carrie at work.  That might be nice unless God gives her a new, wonderfully amazing job!  But the plans I had, were not the plans of God.  He urged me to ask Marissa how I could pray for her, setting up the appointments with greater precision than any of us could have accomplished.  And for a moment, two complete strangers were lovingly connected for the encouragement of us both.  This is my God.  This is how He works!  And I have the privilege of seeing and participating with Him!  You could too!

I write because I stand amazed at the marvels of God in the ordinary, daily process of this thing called life.  Do you see it?  Is your life amazingly connected to a beautiful God for His glory and encouragement of others?  I'm hoping and praying mine is.  I occasionally get it right and enjoy sharing it with whomever might choose to read, and especially like it when I get to love another kid in His kingdom, Marissa being a complete stranger until now.  Such are the days in the life of this guy.  I write and some read.  But mostly I hope you see how blessed I am to be just a kid in the amazing Kingdom of God, for His purpose because I try to listen and occasionally get it right.