Keeping on keeping on

Ever since my “church shopping” column hit the pages, I have been overwhelmed with support and recommendations from the community. Y’all have been truly instrumental in helping me find places to visit that I haven’t thought of before. My husband and I have only been to two so far, but we look forward to visiting and meeting more of you.

It’s interesting. I usually go to the message by attending church, praying or reading the Bible. But it’s rare when the message comes to me. That very thing happened to me a few days ago.

My nephew lives with me and my husband, and his work is out of walking distance. He hasn’t yet got his license, so my husband and I drive him to and from work. He works at a restaurant and gets out late at night, typically around 11 p.m.

I’m a night owl and my husband is a perpetually tired pigeon, so the more sleep he can get, the better. This means I typically pick up my nephew.

One night, as I was leaving my house at 10:55 to pick him up, I was startled when a young woman suddenly ran to my car window. 

It was late at night, and I live in the city. My first instinct was to fear the worst. 

“I’m about to get robbed,” I thought.

After a few seconds of gauging the mystery woman’s mannerisms, I cracked my window.

“Can I help you?” I asked, thinking she needed help.

“Hi, good evening. I know this is kind of weird, but I have a message for you,” she replied.

“A message?” I questioned, my disbelief evident in my voice.

“Yes. First off, are you a Christian, saved and baptized?” She asked.

Check, check and check.

“Yes, I am. I’ve been a Christian for about five years now,” I said.

“Great!” she said. “Are you proclaiming the gospel of Christ?”

“In a way, yes,” I said. “I work for a newspaper. We have this really great faith section where local pastors write in and share the gospel. I’m responsible for making sure they’re Biblically sound, editing and selecting which articles go in that section.”

“That is incredible. You’re doing great work for the Lord,” she said. “I just want to tell you that God has His hand on you. You’re going through major changes right now, and you may feel like He’s watching from afar, but He is still active and involved. Blessings are coming your way.”

“Okay, how did she know that I just moved here?” I thought. “Does she read the paper?”

“Wow,” I said. “I really appreciate that.”

“Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep proclaiming His name,” she concluded.

As quickly as she ran to the car, she ran off down the street. I sat there in stunned silence. 

“God, what was that about?” I said. “I need to tell someone about this.”

The first person that popped into my head was my momma. I called her and she immediately picked up.

“Hey, meem-“she started. She calls me “meemaw.”

“MOMMA! The strangest thing just happened!” I interrupted.

“What’s going on?” She asked.

I recounted what had just happened, “Momma, this is really weird.”

“That is awesome!” She said. “God truly had a message for you.”

That message was loud and clear. I wrote earlier that I believe God is the reason I work here and this strange encounter may have confirmed that. It reassured me that my work is not in vain and that God is actively involved in my life and work. 

The kind words of support from someone I didn’t know showed me how powerful it is to stay dedicated and true to what I believe in. It reminded me never to give up because good things are coming my way.

Don’t give up either. 

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” — Galatians 6: 8-10 (ESV)