The other day I wrote about balance and how balance is all about your focus. How although we can be crazy busy with full schedules, we can still choose to let Jesus be the center of it and make the most of every opportunity; being present in the moment, each step in step with the Spirit. (link here to read that post: http://thepauseblog.weebly.com/blog/the-truth-about-balance)
The days that followed that post on balance were crazy, full days at a wonderful women’s conference. It was a Spirit and fun filled weekend with dear sisters in Christ. In fact, we had so much fun, we only had just about three hours of sleep! So needless to say, after the conference as we headed home we were physically, emotionally and spiritually tired. We all had things to do when we got home--I had a cheerleader waiting for me at her game, two others had another service to attend that night and we all had church the next morning. Busy just doesn't seem to end. So with all that in mind we discussed one quick stop for caffeine and bathroom break and then we were making a beeline home.
But God.
The days that followed that post on balance were crazy, full days at a wonderful women’s conference. It was a Spirit and fun filled weekend with dear sisters in Christ. In fact, we had so much fun, we only had just about three hours of sleep! So needless to say, after the conference as we headed home we were physically, emotionally and spiritually tired. We all had things to do when we got home--I had a cheerleader waiting for me at her game, two others had another service to attend that night and we all had church the next morning. Busy just doesn't seem to end. So with all that in mind we discussed one quick stop for caffeine and bathroom break and then we were making a beeline home.
But God.
As I stood at the sink in the bathroom of the gas station, a young lady came out of the stall. I could tell when I asked her how she was that something wasn’t right but she told me she was fine. I pressed in and she then told me she had been broke down for three hours with a shredded tire and it was her son’s 3rd birthday and she was trying to get to his party. I was again reminded of Paul’s words:
“Be careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..."
Opportunity and choices. They are certainly all around us. And for me, I get them at gas stations. Frequently. The first time I stepped out of my comfort zone and prayed with a stranger was a gas station. God showed up and showed off in such an amazing way that ever since then, I am always looking and listening for what God has for me. Especially at gas stations. And He just doesn’t disappoint me. So I offered to take this girl to get a tire. She couldn't understand why I would want to but, she did agree to it. As we drove down the road she thanked me and said,
"God is good." "Yes, He is!", we said.
As we talked a little further God began to unfold how big of an opportunity this was. This was so not about a tire. We began to talk about the conference we had just come from and found out that it was her desire to go to the same conference but she didn’t get the opportunity to go. She began sharing about the last conference she had attended. It was three years ago in St. Louis. We were in Indianapolis--three years later.
As she talked about that conference and who spoke and who led worship, my sister in law leaned up from the back seat and said, “I think I know you!” Would you believe that three years ago God put them in each other’s path standing in a book line! Talk about rocking your world! And this was not surface talk about the weather. They shared personal and deeply that day three years ago and they both were recalling their conversation like it happened yesterday. It was an authentic God encounter that they both responded to three years ago because why? Because on this day, when she needed it most, when she was down and out, God proved Himself faithful and He showed us all His goodness and He did what only God can do and brought them back together.
In the moments that passed, waiting on a new tire, we heard this girl’s heart. She poured out. She had struggles and strongholds, circumstances and situations that were trying to steal, kill and destroy her physically and emotionally. The enemy was trying to take her out but she was fighting. For three months she had been fighting an addiction. And praise God we got the opportunity to join with her in battle. What the enemy meant for harm--what he meant to kill her spirit--what he kept lying to her as people passed her by--GOD MEANT FOR GOOD and the enemy was defeated. We proclaimed victory! We praised and thanked God for His goodness. Though "good" just doesn't seem like a big enough word. On this day we rejoiced because chains were broken, strongholds were broken, and faith was strengthened on this day.
On this--
3rd birthday. 3 hours later. 3 years later. She was 3 months clean.
3…it’s so significant.
What looked like defeat, 3 days later He resurrected. And what looked like defeat for this young mother on this day, God turned it for His victory. Hallelujah, what an awesome God!
I pray this blesses you and encourages you—whatever you face today or whoever He puts in your path today. Opportunities. Make the most of them because the days are evil. BUT GOD, He is so good.