Only Believe

We go through life wondering how things are going to work out.  Whether it is about school, jobs, finances or relationships... we always want to know what's ahead of us and how quickly it's coming to us.

However, as we look at the prayer that Jesus taught us; we read: "Give us each day our daily bread" (Luke 11:3).  It does not say give us our life long stash of food, happiness, finances, etc.  It talks about today.

Scripture is correct, every day we receive our blessings. "Be anxious for nothing"... (1st Peter 5:7)

We serve a good, wonderful, faithful, compassionate, loving, giving God.  Our own response to that ought to be "Thank you, Lord. I receive it."

Just like everyone else, at times I forget to say those words.  However, God is always there to love on us, and to give us the desires of our hearts.  As Nick and I walk the back roads of this wonderful country we have experienced God's unfailing Love through His people.

Few days ago, we arrived in Lynchburg, VA.  As always, when we get to a large town, we look for a Walmart, so we know where we are going to spend the night. Since it is Summer, the last few days have been humid. We went to the store to purchase some items we needed and hide from the heat.  

I mentioned to Nick that I needed to get some deodorant, so we walked to the isle.  I remembered that I had seen an advertisement on TV about some type of body mist. I began looking for it, and it never fails, every time I need something it is always on top shelf.  A young woman was there standing near me, and I asked her if she could help me.  Very friendly, she looked at me and said "Sure" and soon she started to hand me different little bottles of body mist.  

We started to spray the air to try the different scents, and as we sprayed, we began to sniff the air.  One was too sweet, others smelled like a bathroom cleaner, and yet other smelled like pure alcohol.  Finally, we find the right fragrance and I said.  "This is the one, thank you so very much." As I said that I could hear Nick saying.... "Where is a camera when you need it?"  and a young man said, "I got one on my phone!" 

This young man was the friend of my new friend...  Carmen. Haniel (like Daniel with an H) had gone to get some other stuff and when he got back to where we were, he found us smelling the air, so he backed up to where Nick was standing in the middle of the aisle... I guess they did not want people to acknowledge that we were with them.  Hahaha.

Soon Haniel, said to Nick: "Are you a pastor or something?  I see the glory of God all over you." So as always, we shared about our walk.  Haniel, quickly reached for his phone and said. "Let me call my pastor to see if you can come and share some of your biblical testimonies with our congregation on Wednesday night."  and with that we made a date to go to lunch with them the next day after our walk.

We all continue our shopping and about 5 minutes later, Haniel and Carmen found us and said. "Our pastor already has someone scheduled, however, he would love for you guys to come and share about your walk for Christ. Our church is All Peoples Church, so just come over on Wednesday and share about what the Lord is doing in your lives." We bid them good night and we all went on our merry way. 

On Tuesday we had a wonderful lunch with our new friends.  We chatted about  ministry work (theirs and ours), and personal experiences.

Wednesday, quickly came, however on our way back to town we got a flat.  We called Good Sam's Club for road assistance. Finally after 3 hours of waiting a police car parked behind us and wanted to know for how long we were going to be there.  We told her that we did not know, that we had hope to be long gone but we were still waiting.  

So I called Good Sams and I let the officer talk to them.  Well, not long after we got a sight of the truck service... the calvary was finally on its way! However, when he removed the flat tire, we discover that we had two flats!! I guess it has been so hot that both tires got flat. By the time everything was set and done, we waited a total of 5 hours.  We drove back into town, made ourselves at home at a near parking lot and got showered and ready to go to church.

The service was at 7:00, we made it there half an hour earlier so we could have enough time and room to park the RV.  We walked in the church and everyone was genuinely happy to see us.  You could feel the love coming from people we just met. And it did not matter if you were a visitor or have been going there for 100 years...the love was there.  

We shared about the journey, we worshiped and learned.  By the time the service was over, right before we were going to be dismissed.  The pastor said.

"I would like us to pray for Nick and Lucy and for their travel.  Also the Holy Spirit told me three times that we should take a love offering for them.  I do not know what the deacons are going to say, however, lets do it."

As the pastor was saying those words, it really took me by surprise and tears started to stream down my face.  When we go to churches, whether midweek or Sunday service, we never ask for anything, so when a pastor is moved by God act on our behalf when he doesn't even really know us...I know in my heart that it is a gift from my Father.  He give us our daily bread and more ...only believe.