Firsts

A first for everything... Lori, Sarah, Jacob, and I went and chopped down our Christmas tree today. I have so many fun memories of doing this when I was a little girl, so it sure was a treat to show Sarah and Lor how a "Washington Christmas tree chopping extravaganza" goes!

The day got better and better...

Several hours later, I’m at Barnes and Noble in the Christian section. I walk down the isle and I hear a “Boy you are in the right place aren’t you?” This came from a man also occupying this small section of the store. “Yes, sir” I replied. We began talking. I was instantaneously aware that the presence of God was so real and so genuine in this man. The word of God rolled off of his tongue and penetrated to the depths of my heart. He spoke passionately about desiring a spot right at Jesus’ feet with his arms wide open drinking in the Lord’s presence. This man spoke with so much power and boldness… so much truth. At some point in the conversation I thought to myself, could this be an angel? As he spoke he asked me, are you called to mission work? “I am” I replied. The words he spoke next were this, “Do not fall into what the world will tell you you need to do in order for Him to use you in your calling.” He went on to say, “You know you are called. You listen to him and you step out in faith. He will guide you every single step of the way. Step out in boldness.” Wow, I wanted more.

As we are talking and just soaking in the presence of the Lord through our interaction another man joined the conversation. My brother in Christ had a joy about him- anyone could tell that he loves the Lord.

At one point in the conversation he mentioned that he had to pick up blood work at the hospital. I needed to know more. Later on when I'm thinking how in the world I'm going to ask him this... he looks at me and goes, “Come on…”
“Huh?- I replied confused.
“Come on, step out He’s using you.”
I was astonished… hesitant… thinking I might as well be crazy…
“Come on,” he said.
“Are you sick?” I asked. He stared at me with big eyes. “Come on, tell me more.” He replied, “Let Him use you.”
My heart pounding and the presence of the Lord so physically real to me at this point…I wanted to either run or weep.. I couldn't tell... so for now, I just wanted the man to tell me about his sickness…. “Is it cancer?”
“No, but it is something along those lines.” He replied.
I stared back just struck.
“See just like you knew I was sick- not many of my closest friends even know that about me- you act when He’s calling you. You have a great calling on your life and you know that.”

(I tell you this, not because I’m some great person… I am what I am because He has made me…I tell you this because I am an ordinary person like all of us… still the Lord speaks to us and loves us…and uses us... as ordinary people… and he equips us to do extraordinary things.)

With these words I knew the Lord wanted me to pray for this man- right in the middle of Barnes and Noble. I put down my books and the other men put theirs down as well. We came together in unity and purpose. We prayed together boldly and with authority. I wish I could describe to you the warmth, the feeling, the thankfulness, and the love I felt not only for this man I had only known for 10 minutes but for the LORD. This was a divine appointment.

Eventually, we came back into the real world and I noticed people baffled standing around, it didn’t matter. Praise God! Ah it was so good. He wiped his tears, I wiped the beads of sweat on my forhead, and the other man wiped the astonishment of what just happened. We just enjoyed the presence of God together- right in the middle of Barnes and Noble. Oh… so good….. so so good.