Sometimes I hear a story that just touches my heart. I
heard one yesterday.
I ran into a friend at the local grocery store. She
looked exhausted. When I asked where she had been, she sighed and said, “I have
just driven to Daphne and back.” After further questions, she explained that
she and a friend had driven the 350 miles down to the south Alabama town to get
some much-needed personal items for another friend then turned around and drove
back. Apparently, the friend from Daphne
had come up to Birmingham to attend to some business and have lunch with the
two Birmingham friends. They were all retired and had previously worked
together for many years. That working relationship had led to a strong
friendship and the three met whenever possible.
On the morning of the lunch date the Daphne friend had
called to say he could not make it, he had slipped in the shower of his hotel
and broken his hip. He was at the hospital awaiting surgery. His two Birmingham
friends did not even hesitate. After checking on him with the hospital staff
and the doctors, the two headed to his hotel room to pack up his things and
clean it out. Then they traveled together to his home in Daphne to retrieve
what he needed for an extended stay in a rehabilitation facility while his hip
mended.
The Daphne friend had lost all of his immediate family
and he had no children of his own. His Birmingham friends had stepped in just
when he needed them. They were there by the grace of God, to help him in his
time of extreme need. What an awesome testimony to love and friendship.
I often question what it looks like to love someone,
friend or enemy. If we are called to Love one another, just what does that look
like? If I disagree with the ideas of others and feel strongly about my
beliefs, how do I show the unconditional love of a generous God. How do I use
my actions for His glory? The simple answer is, I don’t! I have to let the Holy
Spirit take over in the situation. I can only let God work in me and through me
supernaturally.
If I listen to my inner thoughts, I am often amazed at
what the Holy Spirt says to me. It’s not a loud voice from heaven, it’s not
fire coming down from the sky. It is often a simple unexpected thought that
pops in my head at the most inopportune moments, a thought that makes me say, “Where
did that come from?”
Recently I was questioning why God would allow a young
woman whom I watched grow up and have children of her own make a conscious
decision to change her sexual identity. I knew she was a true believer that
Jesus was the Son of God who rose from the dead. I was there at her confession
of faith that Jesus had died for all our sins, so why was she making this
decision. That small little voice said this to me, “Just let me be the
judge. You know she is a believer, so
maybe I have chosen her to meet others like her and tell them about my grace
and mercy, to tell them about Jesus Christ. Who better than her to reach those
like her because …..You sure aren’t going to try and reach them.”
I was shocked! But it was true. That inner voice had
just given me a slap in the face. Somehow, I felt a peace about me that was
calming. I felt a release that I cannot explain knowing that I am not in charge
of the salvation of others. My charge is to share my story of God’s grace as it
applies to me, not judge the behavior of others. As an older believer, I can
lead them and guide them in the truth but I must do so with compassion and calmness
and direction from the Holy Spirit, guidance in Spirit and Truth. That, my
friend, is true love and friendship.
When my son was living at home awaiting his prison
sentence, he developed MERSA from an infection. I remember thinking and praying
that the authorities would show mercy and lighten his sentence since he could
be a health risk. In the midst of my morning quiet time I heard that small
voice say, “I’m going to protect Matt, you let me worry about the How!” And the God who is Faithful and True did just
that during his entire prison stay.
A small voice, inaudible to the outside world but spoken
loudly to my inner spirit. It resonates both in my head and in my heart. It reassures and affirms. It comforts and convinces.
It speaks the Truth and beckons me to listen. It has changed my life in so many
ways. It continually forces me to relook at situations and see the good in
people.
Without a doubt those Birmingham friends heard a small
voice telling them to go help a friend in need. That small voice is what directs
us on when and how to love. So, the next time I face a difficult situation or a
test of my patience and understanding, I pray that I can listen to that small
voice and let God show me what to do. I pray I will continue to let Him handle
the How!
