“Rivers of living water will flow
from the heart of anyone
who believes in me.”
Jesus
Recently, one of my close friends had an experience that I found inspiring. I asked her to write about it so that I could share her story with you; I pray that it challenges you like it has challenged me.
My Friend’s Story
After a long day at a home with my children, my husband gave me a much-needed break. I went to a restaurant with my Bible and journal in hopes of being rejuvenated. When I got there, I saw a nice booth by the window in the bar section. I decided to do my reading and journaling there, though it seemed funny to me to have my “quiet time” in a bar. While I was there, I ordered something to eat. When the bartender delivered my food, I struck up a conversation with her. After chatting for a few minutes, I asked her if there were anything I could pray for her about. She looked somewhat surprised and sat down across from me. Then she said, “No one has ever asked me that before.” She seemed genuinely touched. She then proceeded to tell me about some financial struggles she and her husband were having. I asked, “Would it be OK if I prayed for you right now?” “Sure” she replied, so I prayed specifically about the things she had mentioned.
~
In the months that followed, I continued to think about the bartender. Gradually, I started to feel that the Lord was leading me to give her one thousand dollars, money that I had been saving (for a long) time in my benevolence fund. I decided I would visit her at the bar and give her the money. It had been eight months since our first encounter, so I wondered if she would remember me. I decided to enclose the cash inside a card so I could write her a note. In the card, I told her what my life was like because I knew the Lord. I also enclosed a short essay that I had written, explaining how much God loves us, along with my phone number. I wrote that I would be happy to answer any questions she might have, but that there was no pressure to contact me.
I was very nervous about going to see her, but I went anyway. When I arrived, I sat down and waited while she was with other customers. When she got to me, I asked, “Do you remember me? I was here several months ago.” At first she gave me a blank look, but then she said, “Oh yes, you were my angel who prayed for me.” I was really surprised by this, but I was pleased that she remembered me. I gave her the card and asked her to open it on her way home.
I left the bar feeling exhilarated. It was so wonderful to follow through on what I felt the Lord was asking me to do. I never did hear from my bartender friend, but I know that her life (and mine) is different because of how the Lord used me.
Good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden. 1 Timothy 5:25
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