For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
It was a beautiful sunny day leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a plan. Living in a small space without a decent oven wasn’t going to keep us from cooking a turkey dinner. We would cook it in an instapot! But before that, we were off to serve in the little town we were visiting.
We were so blessed to get the chance to hand out bags of food to people in need so they could prepare their own Thanksgiving dinner. We were encouraged to hand each person their bag of food, hold the door for them, and even carry their bag to their car. While returning from one such trip, I happened to overhear a woman sitting in another car as she was speaking to her companion standing outside of the car. It still resonates with me today as I remember her stating, “they didn’t look at me or speak to me. They barely even acknowledged I was there.” As I reflect on the moment, I do not claim to have physically felt His hand nor audibly hear His voice, but the Holy Spirit stopped me immediately in my tracks. He made it clear He wanted me to address what I had just heard. Without hesitation, I turned toward this woman, took her hand in mine, recognizing in her a beloved daughter of God. As I looked directly in her eyes, I let her know I was seeing and hearing her. I wanted her to know she mattered, and I cared. I wished her a Happy Thanksgiving and that God would bless her.
In another instance I visited with a woman and who I thought was her granddaughter. It turns out it was indeed her granddaughter, but she referred to the woman as mama. This little girl was not aware her mother had died. As we visited, this grandma cried and cried while her little granddaughter hugged her tightly. She said her holidays were not joyous due to the death of her daughter. As a “fixer” I wanted to help in any way possible to heal her pain. But only God could mend her broken heart. So, we prayed.
Often, I’m self-conscious and a little awkward in situations like these but not that day. You see, when God calls us to serve He doesn’t require an expertise in theology, a college degree or five years of prior experience. We only need to be open to the calling and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. When we do, we find He provides the confidence, words, and love to meet the needs of those we serve.
“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. And you have been called.” ~ Smith Wigglesworth
