I know I just posted, but the Lord works in crazy ways and it needs to be shared with y’all. This is a simple story about how God can use unfortunate circumstances and decisions for a glorifying conclusion. Spolier: this gonna get long so buckle in!!
My squad and I were hanging around the Atlanta Airport waiting for our flight out to Florida and then to Nicaragua. While we were waiting, a man approached us asking for help. He explained how him and some other workers were swindled and then abandoned in Atlanta. All the man wanted was to get a bus ride from Atlanta back to Miami.
My squad convened and all individually prayed for discernment from the lord on what to do with this situation that had fallen before us. Basically, do we purchase the man’s bus ticket for him or not?
After praying and long discussion, we came to the conclusion that we would not purchase the ticket for this man as it was what the Lord put on our hearts. Myself and a few of my squad members went to approach the man with the news and offer assistance in any other matter, food or clothes. Clearly disappointed (and a tiny agitated) the man asked if we could get him a t-shirt and underwear.
After asking around, we learned that underwear was not available in any of the little stores in our area at that part of the airport. My fellow squad members decided to look for a pair of socks while another went to give him a shirt. Socks in hand, we returned to the man who angrily rejected the socks and returned the t-shirt as well along with refusing any offers of food or prayers for his trip home.
Since I had declined the offer for a receipt, we were stuck with the socks and needed to go on to check in in for our flight.
While the rest of our squad was checking in, my squad leader and I decided to set out to find someone else who might be in need of socks. We prayed for the lord to show us someone that was on His heart who would be in need of these fashionable pair of socks with ‘Atlanta‘ proudly placed across the sole in bold red letters.
After a long walk through the backage claim carousels, my squad leader pointed out a man in a green hoodie sitting with some impatient flyers waiting for their luggage. I didn’t feel a specific draw or tug to approach this gentleman, but Erica was certain, so off we went!
We approached the man and found out that he was not waiting for his luggage and told us his name is James (my middle name y’all!!) I offered him the socks and sat with him. Upon introducing ourselves, James informed me that his nephews name was also Connor! (Just another reassurance from the Lord, no big deal????).
James motioned to his cane and told us that his knee had been injured quite seriously and asked for healing which we obliged. He didn’t see any miraculous recovery, but I have faith that he’ll be back to running marathons in no time!
He inquired about food as well to which we informed us of the time crunch we were on and simply prayed that he would remain faithful and patient that the Lord would provide for those that seek (those that are hungry ??). We left James in that seat with a new pair of socks, a grateful smile on his face, and what I could tell would soon turn into an insatiable thirst that only the Lord can quench.
Those two men will most likely never meet or know that we had interacted with them on the same day, but without the first the second would’ve never had his moment! A lot of times we don’t get to see both sides and we just see the bad situation that has befallen us. Events like this are why I continue to have faith through the bad or disappointing. You might not be the James in this situation but believe me when I say that God has a reason! There is a James!
