I wrote this a few years ago. The timing was interesting. As I mention in the poem, I had befriended a woman, and it turned out she was a “chronic” user of people to advance her agenda. I soon learned she lied to me, and while I was trying to “help” her in her time of difficulty, I suspect she was always “in a time of difficulty,” and I was enabling her negativity to affect mine negatively. She took advantage of my efforts to “help” her.
In this second episode I wrote about, I was a little more careful, and God prevented me from becoming too involved. I never, in this case, saw the woman again. I never had a chance to “befriend” her or to witness about Christ except in our chance encounter as I drove her home. I don’t even remember her name, but I was able to use my “Jesus mobile,” (that was my old station wagon’s name) for errands of mercy, carting other people’s kids to events, and toting things for church events and stuff to food banks–that sort of things. So this was one of “those.” events.
Nonetheless, my radar is usually on for “mercy runs.” Not so much any more. This event happened over ten years ago. Now that I’m a “super senior,” I’ve learned to be a lot more cautious and take few chances where I could be hurt or at a disadvantage physically. God did, after all, give me judgment for a reason. Yes, I do take friends to doctor appointments and shopping, but I’m a lot less apt to strike up a conversation with a stranger than in my more courageous past moments.
But I was once again challenged yesterday by Jerry’s sermon–we are destined, as Christians, to be put in situations where we are to be Jesus people. We are to, as a new contemporary song puts it, allow our whole lives to “preach!” One of my favorite authors, Ralph Waldo Emerson, put it this way. “I would rather see a sermon any day than hear one.” Yes, we are to reflect the “light” that is in it, just as the moon reflects the sun. We are to exude the presence of Jesus, not just in being super courteous to those who serve us, or being generous with our compliments, but letting others know that our character is exhibiting the grace and mercy of our Lord, not merely of our own politeness. We are to chastise when that’s necessary; We are to correct wrongs as we see them and tell others why we are doing so. We are to quote scripture when God motivates us to do so. We are to take the extra step in helping others by bearing their burdens with grace, mercy, and love. When we ask Christ to “dwell in us” we’d better be prepared to watch the Godincidences pile up so we can share the love within us. Let us be amazed where that leads us.
Last evening, my daughter Nancy and I did an “emergency” run, yet once more, to bless my sister Dottie. She always manages to interrupt what few minutes of relaxation we have, or to challenge us to action. She is needy, and I don’t always anticipate ahead of time what the next “emergency” is. Last night it was, as often is, a “Where did you put my shampoo?” And, I need more pairs of pants.” and, “They don’t feed me breakfast before I go to dialysis. The kitchen doesn’t open until 7:00 and I leave at 6:30.” Clearly, on reflection, it called for action.
I don’t drive at night. I can see well enough, by God’s grace, to do errands in the daytime, but this was 7:00 at night. After “stewing about the inconvenience, being told by my logical husband that tomorrow would be soon enough and to not lose any more sleep over Dottie tonight,” Nancy and I decided that the next hour or so could be better spent buying pants, gluten-free breakfast bars, and buying new shampoo and conditioner. So we did. Although it was too late for Dottie to take her shower last night, the breakfast items will make dialysis a little more tolerable this morning. I think she appreciated the 8:00 visit. Only problem is, her facility locks the doors at 7:00. I literally could not exit the building without assistance from one of the employees. But, on the way home, I had a great “thank you” conversation with my Nancy, and we both felt good that we’d boldly taken the necessary steps to help Dottie with yet one more thing, yet one more time, and obviously, not for the last time. God did use us to preach and bless–quite unexpectedly, again. That’s how it happens when Jesus dwells in us.
MY PSALM 324 DWELL IN ME
Almighty Father, Precious Savior, Jesus Christ,
Comforter Holy Spirit,
Come dwell in me today.
I’m facing some challenges,
And can’t quite see where the trail leads
As the hymn says,
“In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”[1]
I thought the day was planned:
Fabulous Fridays, we call it,
My husband and I.
We try to keep it special for us time
And often just hang out together,
Maybe do lunch or drive somewhere special.
Today, it’s an “I don’t know what?” day.
We have no special plans.
That’s when wasting time happens,
And I just hate wasting time.
So I’m wondering as I write this piece
Just where you’ll lead me.
Yesterday, by happenstance,
But perhaps another of Your Godincidences,
I drove a young mother home from the store.
She had a few packages, just enough to carry,
Just enough to feed her family of six, I suppose
And was struggling to arrange them for her long walk.
I asked her if she needed help.
She told me her car had broken down
And she had a long walk ahead.
I asked her where she lived, it was on my way
So I offered to drive her home and did.
Here’s my dilemma.
A church friend of mine did that for another woman
Last spring, and that got me involved
In a long, difficult relationship.
Lord, is this déjà vu all over again?
This woman is into meditation, not prayer.
Had separated from her husband for a time,
Was eager to tell me of financial difficulties
And struggles raising four children.
In the few brief moments we were together,
I spoke of Your sovereignty, Your direction for my life,
And invited her to church.
Here’s the challenge, Lord.
Should I attempt today to further the conversation?
Do you want me to witness to this woman again?
At the risk of getting too involved once more,
Is this You sending me on an evangelistic mission?
Tell me what to do, Lord.
I know without a doubt
that You use me in chance encounters.
Is this another of my mission field assignments?
I’m asking You in prayer, because I’m led to seek You.
I don’t know her name. You do.
I will recognize her if I see her again.
Will You cross our paths again?
Perhaps she will bring her family to church.
If so, that will be Your doing
And I long to welcome her in Your Name.
Direct my path, today, Lord
Toward this woman or perhaps someone else,
So I may share Your message with others.
That’s today’s challenge
And I give this day to You
And will say, at the end of it,
This was God’s plan all along.
Thank You for this new day!
May hubby and I honor You in it.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
[1] William W.Walford. www. Hymnary.org
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