Five Dollar Meal...

I wrote the following article the other day for our monthly church newsletter:

I attended a pastor’s conference in Jacksonville several years ago. The place was packed, and to help with meals, Chick-fil-A had set up a temporary sidewalk restaurant on the church property. After standing in line for a couple of minutes, I received my meal and handed my $5 bill to the man at the register. He said, “The man in front of you paid for yours.” Being nowhere near any of the people in my group, I knew it must be a stranger. Yet, when I looked up, there was no one. Although I could not thank the man who paid, I did offer thanks to God for the free meal.

First Baptist, Jacksonville covers several city blocks, and they have purchased and adapted a number of office buildings for use as classrooms. As I was exiting a building later in the day, a man stepped up to me and asked if I had any spare change for a meal. Instantly I saw what was happening. I replied, “I don’t have any money to give you, but I know where I can get you a meal.” As he walked away with his Chick-fil-A bag, I thanked God again. He had taught me a very important lesson. He knows exactly what He's doing.

He knows exactly what He’s doing at WLBC, too. We may not understand, but we are rarely meant to. I struggle with that. I want to understand everything that’s happening around me. By understanding, I’m able to give my approval (even silent approval) and therefore stay in control of the situation. But, God doesn’t work that way. He knows better than we that trust doesn’t involve understanding. Trust is relaxing into His arms and allowing Him to control everything.

I didn’t understand why my meal was paid for. But thanks be to God, my eyes were open, and when His plan was laid in front of me, I recognized it. A stranger was blessed with a meal and a kind word from the Lord, but I was blessed more. God has a plan for you and His church at West Lonsdale. Though we may not understand what is happening, we are responsible to be faithful. Faithful with our time… with our commitment to prayer and bible study… with our finances… with our… you name it, He owns it all.

Dear God, help us as we trust You. We trust You to provide for our needs and the needs of Your church. We commit ourselves to prayer and bible study and to faithful tithing. Keep our eyes open to Your plan, and bless us with experiences as we walk with You.

Not long after the article was finished and printing, I asked Angie, our custodian to meet me in the parking lot with a trash can. Someone had recently driven by with a load of gravel and left a good bit of it on the road next to our parking lot. It was spreading and I couldn’t stand it anymore. I gathered shovels and brooms, and we began to gather it up. But after only a couple of shovels full, it was obvious the trash can was not up to the task. Planning to bring my wheel barrow the next day, I thanked Angie for her effort and we left the gravel where it was.

About an hour later, a familiar sound outside startled me. It took a moment to register, but when it did, I jumped up and ran outside to see. It was the street sweeper. He was gobbling up our pile of gravel like my 100 pound dog eats his breakfast. I rejoiced. God knew our need and had a plan all the time. He allowed me to try and to fail so I would understand and see His provision. God has a unique way of confirming His messages.

Later that same day, I was on my way to the hospital to see one of our church children. I stopped by the store to pick up some puzzle books for her and while standing in line, I experienced a moment of impatience. I was in a hurry, but the lady in front of me was taking her time. Also, the cashier seemed determined to have a meaningful conversation with every customer. I sighed to myself, and after finally paying, hurried off to the hospital to minister.

As I arrived, I stopped by the volunteer counter for information and then entered the elevator behind another man. He asked, “Which floor?” “Two,” I replied. There is a strange unspoken rule for elevators. You’re not supposed to talk to people unless the ice has been broken. By asking me my floor, he was giving me permission to talk. I asked if he was having a good day, and he replied, “No. My daughter probably won’t make it through the night.”

There were no words to say. All I could mutter was, “I’m so sorry.” I was able to ask her age. She was 18. As we both left the elevator at the second floor, I said I would pray for him, and then I watched him walk down the hallway. I just stood there watching, knowing I should find after my visit. A nurse asked me if I needed help, and after I explained, she indicated she would help me later.

After my first visit, I walked down the hallway where the man had gone. The nurse was there and she went into the room and said, “There’s a gentleman here to see you.” When he came out, I saw the fatigue in his face. I identified myself and told him that I didn’t want to intrude but couldn’t leave without speaking to him and letting him know again that people would be praying for him.

He described her situation and said she didn’t want to stay that way, so they were letting her go. He seemed uncomfortable, so I didn’t push, but offered my name and number, “…if you need anything at all.” He said he knew she would be better off, and I asked if she knew Jesus Christ. He said they both did, and I reminded him that she will be free and they will be together again someday. It was a brief encounter, but one that blessed us both. As I left, the nurse said, “He hasn’t opened up to anyone before.” Wow!

Later it occurred to me that if I had arrived a minute earlier, I would have missed him. The delay at the store was not an inconvenience after all. It was part of God’s plan and for my benefit. I smiled as I looked back on God’s confirmations that day. He really does know what He’s doing.

Addendum…

Three days later, I was at the same store in the same line with the same cashier. I was again in a hurry, and she was starting up her conversation with the lady in front of me. My impatience only lasted a moment when God tapped me on the shoulder. Remembering the other day, I chuckled to myself and relaxed. Little did I know, God was again at work lining me up for an encounter.

As I left the store, two teenage girls hurried up to me with what appeared to be candy fundraiser boxes in their arms. One of them gave the speech about raising money for their church group to go to camp and grow spiritually. She then dramatically opened the box to show me their stained glass window hangers. I said I didn’t want to buy any, but asked, “What church is it?” She replied, “The Unification Church.”

She then asked if wanted to give a donation. I replied, “No. I’m a Christian and there are a number of things we disagree about. So, I can’t support you financially. But I would like to give you this. Jesus Christ and His death on the cross is the only answer for our sin. There is nothing else that will take care of it. Only Him alone.” The were gracious, and we parted cordially.

As I stepped to my car, the window of the car next to me opened. The lady, who had just been able to miss the girls and their sales pitch, asked me, “What were they selling?” I replied, “Do you remember the Moonies? They were the ones selling roses on the roadside. That’s them.” I was then able to speak the same truth about Jesus to her.

Again, God spoke mightily to me. He is the author of every day of my life. He has a plan for every moment, and no encounter is an accident. Whether I can share the entire gospel or only a kind Christ-like attitude, I must see these moments with His eyes.