Blessings in an Unlikely Place

TESTIMONY: January 6, 2023

In 2023, one of my resolutions is to grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus. For me in my walk, that means stepping out of my comfort zone and being more vocal about what the Lord is doing in my life and the lessons he's teaching me. The Bible tells us in Psalm 71:15-16, "My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone." I hesitate to share this story, because I don't want any of the glory or any of the praise. This is NOT about me. This all about Jesus using two people to encourage and inspire each other. In sharing this story, I want it ALL to go to Jesus. He must increase, and I must decrease!

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the idea of wanting more. You always want to be paid more at work or wish you could have saved a few more dollars over the Christmas holiday, but a homeless man recently put things into perspective for me. I felt the call to help him, but in helping him, he ended up blessing me.

In the days leading up to Christmas, it was freezing cold outside. I know you can remember how frigid it was. One day that week, I was driving into work and saw a man in a sleeping bag under the bridge. My heart broke for him, because I was so cold walking from my front door to my car door and couldn't imagine being outside and trying to sleep in this temperature. Later that day, I saw him again in that same area standing in the sun, trying to get any type of warmth. My flesh wanted to keep driving and go straight to my heated home, but I heard the voice of the Lord telling me to turn back around. I pulled over where he was, I introduced myself, and he told me his name. I saw kindness in his face. We started talking, and I asked what I could do for him. He said he needed a new coat and boats to withstand the bitter cold. At this point, it was about 20 degrees with a heavy wind blowing.

I went to Walmart and got him basic winter necessities and headed back over there - this time with Logan. The man told us someone he knew had just stopped by and invited him to stay at their home until the winter storm passed. That person was in the middle of running errands and would be back soon. I asked if he wanted to wait in my car in the meantime, and he said yes. Immediately, he started talking about Jesus. I asked if he was saved, and he said he was. He told me some of his story, and before his ride got there, I asked if I could pray with him. He was more than happy to bow his head with us. No lie, the second I said "Amen," his ride pulled up beside my car. Jesus, only Jesus.

I was so thankful to know he was warm that weekend, but a few nights later, we saw him back in the same spot. We pulled over to check on him and see if we could get him anything to eat. He smiled and said, "I haven't had a Whopper in years." We went to Burger King and bought him two Whoppers along with a few other things from Walgreens and returned to him. Before we left, we prayed over him again. He said, "I'll be out of this in HIS timing," and pointed to the sky. I could feel his faith in God.

The next day, I was at the grocery store and went to the deli section to get a hot to-go plate to drop off with him on my way home. When I pulled over to chat with him, I handed him the food and he told me, "I was actually saving the other Whopper for me today, but I just gave it to a guy who was hungrier than I am."

WHOA...

THAT has stuck with me since that day and will stick with me forever. It was so beautiful to see this pay-it-forward mentality with someone, who by the world's definition, doesn't have anything. Yet, he found someone who, in his mind, is worse off than him and gave him all that he had. Jesus, only Jesus!

Luke 3:11 says, "John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Meeting this man and talking to him on just a handful of occasions has really put into perspective how blessed we are. When the trivial things of life seem monumental, stop and think, "Do I have a roof over my head? Do I know where my next meal is coming from? Do I have a bed?" These are basic necessities that we take for granted that some people just don't have.

This encounter has more than encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and allow the Lord to work. I may not have all the answers to solve everyone's problem, but I know that He can and will use those who tell The Lord, "Use me." And, in turn, it's a two-way street of blessings.

Today, ask the Lord for a divine appointment, and I promise you will be amazed at the overflowing of blessings!