More Than The Twenty-First Time

Tonight was a strange night...by my normal standards anyway.

After leaving our local church, we stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few needed items. Nothing is better than spending time in the word with God and praising His name for 1/2 an hour, than following it with a huge bowl of ice cream...it has become a delightful routine for my family. (God bless Ben & Jerry...Amen)

As I entered the sidewalk that leads to the entrance, a small meek voice called out "Ma'am, excuse me Ma'am." I turned to find a young woman sitting on the outside bench. Her appearance was unkempt, but clean. Her face was warm yet aged beyond her young years. But her eyes...her eyes were filled with pain and rejection. You could see the deep crevasses of worry that had already laid claim to her forehead. My heart ached.

I asked her what I could do for her this evening and she told me her story of displacement and how her father had lost his leg due to illness. She then asked me for $3 to buy something to eat. She requested a pack of bologna and a loaf of bread that they might have a meal. I explained that I didn't have any cash-on-hand, but I would see what I could do while I was inside. Gave a smile and entered the store.

Now I am in quite a delima here...see, I understand that God sometimes uses our own "created" circumstances to bring us to a place of submission or repentance or ultimately salvation. So when I am faced with a question of emotion vs. WWJD?, I simply have but one choice. Pray and ask for guidance on the matter. So I shopped and I prayed.

My "mind" continued back to the fact that the girl did not appear to be anywhere near starvation and neither did her father. (The flesh is always so skeptical and judgemental) And at that moment, a song rose up in my mind. The chorus rushed through my brain and before I could catch myself, I was singing it...out loud...in the grocery store check-out line! Imagine the shock of those who were around me when I burst into song! Thank goodness God blessed me with the ability to carry a tune!

When I looked down in my basket and saw the extra items I had gathered for the young girl and her father, I knew in my heart God was pleased.

I paid for the items in my buggy and headed for the exit doors. My heart was thumping and I was so excited. I couldn't wait to tell her that Jesus loved her and had blessed her this evening. I strained to get a glimpse of her as I exited the store...she was waiting on me. I approached and gave her the bag of items. "Thank you," she said. Her voice was so humble and meek. It was soft and sweet. "You are very welcome," I replied. "Sweetheart, do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?" I asked, with a broad smile on my face and a loving hand on hers. "Yes, Ma'am." She replied. I squeezed a little tighter,"Then will you put your faith and trust in him to see you through this?" She could not hold back the tears, "Yes Ma'am, I will." And with that she got up off the bench and walked to where her father was waiting.

Wow...another Divine Appointment....Lord Jesus, you are AWESOME!!!

And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
Isaiah 58:10

Here is the song that invaded my being! Check out the words...they are terrific! My fave verse is the last one....Love & Hugs.....

"The Twenty-First Time" by Monk and Neagle::
Nowhere to live,
Nowhere to fall
He used to have money, but he's wasted it all
His blanket's an old coat he’s had since the war
He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He may be a drifter, he’s grown old and gray
But what if he’s Jesus and I walk away?
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

She’s twenty-nine but she feels forty-eight
She can’t raise three kids on minimum wage
She’s cryin’ in back of the welfare line
but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

She may be a stranger tryin’ to get through the day
but what if it’s Jesus and I walk away?
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

This is a call for a change in my heart
I realize that I’ve not been doin’ my part
when I needed a Savior, I found it in Him
He gave to me, now I’ll give back to them

Drifter or stranger, father or son
I’ll look for Jesus in every one
’cause I am the body and drink of the wine and
I’m thankful there’s more than the twenty-first time.