The People God Brings Into Our Lives

We have all had them. People God brings across our paths to minister to or for them to minister to us. Seemingly out of the blue, seemingly random but we know it was God appointed. It is amazing how He works. My very first experience with the “randomness” of God happened in 2006. I briefly shared part of my story at New Hope one Sunday. I spoke for about 10 minutes. It was my first time to ever speak in front of a crowd, much less a church, and share my story. It was hard to share all the things I had done but I did it. When I was done I felt a sense of satisfaction that I stood up and admitted all my failures. The reaction and support I received from the congregation that day was amazing, it is a day I will never forget.

 Later that night the Jensen’s ( whose inspiring walk with God during the tragic loss of their son Alex is what finally opened my eyes to Jesus)  dropped by my house and told me of something that happened that morning after I spoke. A young man approached a group of men for prayer. He had just gotten out of prison and had come to Wylie for a funeral. He had no plans to go to church that day but for “some reason” did. He had drugs in his pocket and planned on getting high after leaving. As he prayed with the men he gave them the little baggie of dope to throw away. That without a doubt was a divine appointment from God.  God used my story to help that man; I never even spoke to him directly. I was amazed by this because I had no idea. It my first glimpse into God’s power working in such a mighty way. Working in such a mighty way through me. I was pumped. As far as I know that was the first that God has brought across my path for me to minister to (even if it was indirectly)  I love how HE connects the dots. His timing is perfect.

In the past year as I have been walking out the grief from my own tragedy of losing Alexis HE has connected we me with many beautiful people. It has really been amazing and through these connections I have made lifelong friends.  Until this past year I had never heard of the Caring Bridge site but through God’s divine appointments I have followed 3 people that I had contact with before horrifically tragic events occurred in their lives. At first I began to feel there was a pattern: see Susan then something bad happens. But God quickly replaced that lie and simply said “people need to hear your story and see MY strength in you” HE said “Your story gives hope” It was almost audible.

There has been one CaringBridge site I have followed from the sidelines because I didn’t really know this girl at all. I learned of her tragedy through a friend. On January 7, 2013   I spoke at Rockwall Heath High School. When I was in the classroom my dear friend Kristie Smith called me and asked me to pray for a friend of hers who was in a horrible accident . I immediately prayed. Later I learned her two young girls died as the result of the accident and she was paralyzed . My heart broke and I continued to pray following her recovery on Caring Bridge. From afar I admired  her strength and was inspired by her faith. Feeling a connection to her  but not knowing what to do. So  when I don’t know what to do , I pray until I do. I pray until I hear from God.

God got in touch with me this week through my dear friend Kristie Smith. Kristie texted me and  let me know she had gone to visit Dawn  at her home and was amazed !!. She took her on a tour of the house and showed her the girl’s school room where she home schooled them. The room was decorated in OWLS. Kristie immediately felt a connection with Alexis. When I learned this I knew this was a sign that God wanted me to meet this girl.  I immediately let Kristie know and she felt the same way so we made a decision.  In June Kristie and I are going Mt. Pleasant. I’m not sure what God is up to : ))  I don’t know if it is for me to minister to her or for her to minister to me but I am thinking it is both : )). But it was another amazing OWL sighting. All I know is when I heard the news that the young girls had died I had an overwhelming feeling that Alexis greeted them in Heaven .

Did we answer the call? It could be calling someone who is lonely and discouraged and something just nudges you to do so, and you know that nudge is from the Lord. Or, it could be someone who is in a critical crisis and you are the one God uses to help them through.