I Saw God Today

God put two special people in my life this week. Thursday I stopped at my barber after work for a haircut. As I was pulling into the parking lot, an older gentleman was going into the shop. I thought, “cool, only one old dude ahead of me, I won’t have to wait too long.” I had no clue that God needed me at that moment.

The older gentleman was already sitting in the barber’s chair by the time I walked in. He was talking to Betty the owner of the shop. I have been going to Betty for haircuts for about 6 months. She’s great. The conversation between the older gentleman and Betty was about the man’s health. It’s not too good.

After his haircut, the gentleman asked Betty (who is a Christian) if she would remember him in her prayers. Betty asked him if he would like for us to pray for him now. The gentleman nodded his head yes and looked my way. I stood up and walked over to him and joined hands with him and Betty. We prayed over him while he sat in the barber’s chair.

After we were finished, the gentleman wiped the tears from his eyes and put his glasses back on. He noticed that I was wearing a shirt with our church’s logo on it. He asked, “Do you go to Crossroads?” “Every Sunday,” I answered. The older gentleman proceeded to tell me how he has sometimes visited my church, and how much he liked it. I invited him to come back and he said he would. That’s way cool and I hope he dose.

Today, our church held it’s 2nd annual Project Share. We raised over $50,000 to feed 1000 families in Lenawee County. Susan and I passed out boxes of food at a local soup kitchen. Most of the people who came today to pick up their food were homeless. I can’t imagine living out on the streets with my wife and kids. There were a lot of young mothers in their 20’s with little kids who were there needing help. It just broke my heart. But that’s not the whole story.

One of the volunteers from our church who was helping us today at the soup kitchen told me that she didn’t have any food at her apartment. I’ve known this young lady for about a year, and didn’t know that things were that bad for her. I was upset at myself because I never took the time until today to get to know her well enough to help her. She has been coming to Crossroads for several years now and isn’t really connected. She is very well known and a lot of people would bust their butts to help her, but the problem is she just won’t let people in.

Susan and I took her out to dinner with us and the girls and then took her to Meijer’s to buy her groceries. This young lady was giving her time to help others who were in need and the entire time knew that she was one of the people who needed the help.

If you ask God to use you for His purpose, be ready, be prepared. He will use you. I am amazed how far out of my comfort zone God has pushed me. I am by nature not a people person. I am more of the behind the scenes kinda guy. The more I find myself involved with others I have to admit, I like it. I am also amazed at how much I have grown. It’s an incredible journey.