Rich, Mike, and me
He Speaks Through Strangers
Last weekend Rich and I joined our dear friend Mike for brunch after we attended our U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary meeting together. In previous weeks, we had been to orientation sessions for a new ministry of our church and we had questions–chewing on those questions along with our omelets seemed like a good idea.
As usual when we’re with Mike, the time fled as we talked about the new ministry and explored several conversational tributaries. Finally, we left the restaurant. Standing in the parking lot next to our car, the conversation turned to our incomplete understanding of God, and then to doubts.
Mike said, “Sometimes I ask, ‘Is the bible for all humanity?'”
Just then a couple who appeared to be homeless veered off the sidewalk and approached us. “Are you recruiting?” the man asked, taking note of our uniforms. “No,” Rich answered, “we just came from a meeting. We’re in the Auxiliary.”
I noticed that the woman was wearing a sandal on one foot and an Ugg boot on the other. She was eating a slice of pizza. The man said, “Someone just gave us this pizza. God is looking out for us.”
The woman added, “We are all in God’s hands.”
Mike and I looked at one another. He raised an eyebrow.
She went on, “Someone stole our car. My foot is broken.” She began to weep. The man put his arm around her and said to us, “I’ll handle this,” as he comforted her.
She composed herself and said, “God bless you!” Then our new friends left us, continuing their walk across the parking lot. We had expected them to ask us for money. They had not.
I said, “Funny, Mike, isn’t it, how they approached us and she said that right after you asked that question?”
Mike said, “That was such a Godspotting.”
Indeed. God sends us His answers through unlikely means, sometimes. Like a frightened, hobbling, faithful woman.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt His name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
Psalm 34:3-5 (NLT)
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