After coaching a workshop today here in Indiana, I was driving to a restaurant for dinner with the other coaches. I mistakenly turned one red light too soon and decided to stop and fill up the car at the station there, even though I was running late. As I was pumping gas, there was an old, black beater car on the other side of the pump, and sitting in the front passenger seat with the window down was a boy around 11 or 12. This boy looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Imagine seeing this young boy with sad, concerned eyes, rubbing his face with his hands, and pinching the bridge of his nose...really consumed with the harsh realities of life. I said hi in a cheery voice trying to get him to smile and maybe cheer him a bit. His response was a weak wave and no smile. My heart broke for him in that moment. I prayed over him immediately and asked God to bless his life, protect him, and to send messengers to minister to him. At that point, a young, scruffy guy walked out of the store and began to pump gas into the beater car. I suddenly remembered I had candy in my bag and grabbed it. I stepped to the other side of the pump and said to the guy, Hi! I notice you have this young man with you in the car. I taught a class today and have this candy left over. Can he have it? The guy said yes and I handed him the Butterfinger, Tootsie Pop, Twix, and M&Ms, and said to the guy, Maybe he will share it with you! As I got back into my car, I glanced over at the boy who was now looking at me with a smile. I gave him an even bigger smile, winked at him, waved, and tried to convey as best I could that life is good, there is hope, I see you, and you matter. He matters. Each of us matter. Will you join me in lifting up in prayer this boy along with anyone the Lord has placed in your path in the past that needed hope? And tomorrow, lets share hope with another. After all, wrong turns arent always wrong turns, and running late can be just in time.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 04:32:15 +0000
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