Ordinary days can sometimes turn into extraordinary days if we listen to the still small voice that God uses to prompt us to action. Today I was doing errands in town and decided to go to the bank before an appointment rather than after, as I had planned. I finished my business at the teller’s window and turned to walk out when I noticed one of the bank officers in her office. We often say hello and chat for a minute. I could see she was in her office alone so I walked over to say hello. She stopped what she was doing and said, “ I saw you walk in and I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t want to bother you with my problems. I know God sent you over here.” I sat down and asked her what she wanted to talk about. Tears filled her eyes and she told me her family was going through some very difficult times. She asked if I would remember them in prayer. Without asking the details, I assured her that I would. As I sat there in her office, I felt that tug and I knew God wanted to me to pray with her right then. I said, “Would it be inappropriate for us to pray right now?” My friend said, “Not at all. I pray with my customers whenever I can. I feel that God has placed me in this position to witness for Him. I’m just the one that needs prayer now.” I thought we would hold hands across her desk, but when I got up to close her door, she got down on her knees by the desk and I knelt with her. After we had prayed and talk a little more, I went out to my car and found one of Lauren’s new cds and took it back into the bank. She was standing, talking to the tellers with a box of tissues in her hand. I could hear one of the tellers saying, “We didn’t know what was wrong.” You see, I had closed the door of her office but didn’t think about the big window that looks out over the bank lobby. I gave her the cd and I told her that I felt like she needed those songs. We hugged and I went on my way. As I went on to my other appointment, I couldn’t help but think about the divine appointment I had just experienced. God is willing to use us, but are we willing to be used? It is so easy to get distracted with our busy lives and only recognize ministry moments when they are in a church setting. I have come to realize that ministry happens in our everyday lives, if we are open and willing. I have come to look for those moments and God never fails to provide the opportunities. I hope you had a God moment today. If you have had an experience recently that was a divine interruption in your day, tell us about it.
Extraordinary Days
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Debra,
Thank you for the oh-so-timely reminder and for being faithful to the tug of God on your heart.
Steve
Reply to Steve JohnsonWow…I don’t post on here very often but I read everyday. I have in the past taken for granted the ministry I have at my job. I am a 7th grade school teacher and many times I find myself hugging kids to show them that someone loves them or just giving them a pat on the back. However the other day after a grade level meeting, one of my co-workers came up to me and ask me if I would pray for her. She has just experience a major tragedy in her life and is having a very difficult time. Her 22 year old daughter was killed in a car wreck. I am not a parent so I can not begin to understand the pain that she is going through. So I grabbed her hand and lead her to our small work room and wrapped my arms around her and began to pray. I prayed that God would allow her to see why her child’s life had ended. That God would allow her to understand the big picture. About a 3 weeks after this experience, I was attending a revival service at a church in my hometown and one of the young ladies that I had taught that just happened to be a friend of the girl that had lost her life came in and sat down beside me. I begin to notice that the Lord was dealing with her soul. Without going into a lot of detail, someone in the church sang the same song that was sung that the young ladies funeral. The preacher got up and preached and the lady sitting beside me begins to grip the bench and you could see there was a spiritual battle going on inside of her. As the service was about to end the pastor said I believe with all my heart that someone is turning God away for salvation and about the time he got it out of his mouth the young lady tore out of the bench and fell in an old fashion alter and gave her heart and life to Jesus Christ. When the young lady got up from the alter she looked at me and said all I could think about was Erin was in heaven and I knew I was never going to see her again if I didn’t ask Christ to live in my heart. The next day I got to go back to work and share with the co-worker that God had a master plan and even though we may not understand His ways are the best. I told her that her daughter’s death had influenced another to be saved. I promised her that I would continue to pray for her and her husband to be able to see the good out of losing their child. I am always reminded that God’s ways are always the best even though we may not understand while we are going through the trial.
Reply to Katie BarrettAs you know, Debra, I provide psychiatric services to our veterans. I often get a chance to share things about God with them. I have a picture board in my office mostly filled with Southern Gospel Singers. (You’re there). They will equate that music with me being a Christian and that opens many a door. I have had the privilege of praying with many of my patients. Some of my patients will tell me as they leave how thankful they are for me or how much better they feel. I go home those nights and tell my husband, Ben that I was paid good today. There is no amount of money that pays that good!
Reply to Beth NeaseSee ya’ soon
beth
Deb,
Reply to Stephen WidenerWe have spoken on this before privately, but I feel that I must say something here. You said a lot of what of us ministers need to say, “are we willing to be used by God, of God and for God.”
So many Christians today, I must say are willing spactators. They are willing to sit back and watch and/or let someone else act or perform for a better use of the term. This lady needed help, and you were there at the right moment. That is another thing about God, He shows up right on time. On His time, not ours. The lady you spoke of is in my prayers. No, I don’t know what she is in need of, or her name, but, I have a God who does and know that He will take care of her need, in His time, in His way. And as He already has so far, He will get glory out of this.
God bless.
Stephen
Thank you Debra for being so willing to share that with us. That story serves as a good reminder of how we should make the time to serve others as God would have us to do in our daily lives. Always follow close to God’s spirit as He leads us to do those things He plants through the spirit in our hearts. May God bless all.
Reply to Jeffrey WeeksWow, mrs. talley. your story is edifying, to say the least. on a personal note, i can testify, as well. i was praying and meditating, thinking, “dear lord, i have nothing, can u please give me something, like that coach grant taylor in the movie
Reply to david“facing the giants”". what happened next is nothing short of a small miracle. am1270 out of columbus ,ga started playing that song which says”…he made something…out of nothing ..at all”. anyhow,…just thought i would share that w/ someone(i cant recall who sings that). on another personal note , i sure wish i could participate in your seminars, but right now, i really practically have nothing at this moment. funny thing is, i feel a little peace wich passes any of my understanding.i think the good lord is teaching me that ‘wait’ is sometimes one of the answers to our prayers. nevertheless, i am just one of your many fans, but if you can find a little time for a prayer request for me to find direction in my life i sure would appreciate it.
Your “son” in Christ,
David
I really enjoyed reading this Debra-it moved me and makes me smile a lot. Please keep up the ministry you are doing. You sure make a difference and that touches me in my heart.
God Bless,
Reply to Ron MessinaRon