Wait, did I forget to get something at the store?
Our team was challenged this week to engage in Kingdom work led by the Holy Spirit. As our team prayed over our day, the only thing I could think about was USave, the grocery store we have been to for quick items. It wouldn’t leave my mind during what was supposed to be an intimate time with the Father before heading out to do street evangelism. Honestly, it was frustrating.
After praying, one of my teammates asked if anyone felt like they had any direction. I sat back and said nothing. Besides, we just went grocery shopping, there is no way that was relevant.
Then, Shay began to share about how she felt a little crazy saying this, but she couldn’t get the store USave out of her mind. Excuse me? I blurted out, “Same dude!”
Eventually after much prayer, Shay and I found ourselves at USave. We immediately paced the entire store praying and asking for direction. I felt somewhat crazy. Most people go to the store to pick up a few items, but I wasn’t searching for anything that could be bought.
Then I saw her. I walked past her multiple times. She was on the phone. Shay and I looked at each other and just knew this was the reason we were brought to this store. We followed her to the exit of the store before we spoke up and introduced ourselves. We talked with her for a while then we asked if we could pray for her.
She seemed so confused that we would want to pray for her in public. She asked us a few more questions about where we were from then she led us into a hallway. She ended up paying for all three of us to go to the bathroom so that we could be alone. Once we made it out of the public eye, she broke. She opened up and starting sharing some of her burdens and struggles. She shared of health problems and financial burdens that had been so fresh on her heart. It was obvious seeing the pain in her eyes.
Shay and I took turns praying with the woman. The hands that hardly wanted to touch ours began tightening their grip as we prayed for her family and her situation. When we started praying her hands were stiff and unrelenting. Throughout the prayer, we both began to feel her slowly tighten her grip on both of our hands. She was gripping and holding onto the hope that only Christ can give. We talked about her relationship with Jesus and if she was certain that heaven was her home. It was beautiful.
After getting our contact information and exchanging a few messages, she confirmed that meeting and praying with us was a true gift from God that brought hope to her troubled heart.
What I thought was somewhat crazy ended up opening the door to a conversation I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t been obedient to the Holy Spirit. A connection was made, a seed planted and hope was restored – not only in her heart but also mine.
I am learning that sometimes the Holy Spirit guides us in directions that seem uncertain. We question how God could use that for His glory. We underestimate how He works. We try to limit Him to stay within our box of reason. But when we are obedient to Him, we are able to walk in the boldness he has for us. We are able to trust that when following His spirit there is nothing that is impossible.
What I initially thought might be a wondering mind ended up proving to be the Holy Spirit. I was led to a grocery store to pray for a woman in need of hope, but also reminded that the Holy Spirit living within me is able to do abundantly more than I have ever given Him credit for. Don’t put God in a box- I was led to U Save, but He reminded me that He saves.
