"I am holding you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God - and I say to you, don't be afraid; I am here to help you." Isaiah 41:13 (TLB)
Today was an interesting day. Now that we are living in an apartment, it is necessary for me to take our two dogs out on leashes a few times a day. Normally, I either see no one while I am out or I see just someone passing to get to their car. Today was different.
Those of you who know me know that I like to say hello and strike up casual conversations with those that cross my path. Around noon, while I was outside, I was approached by a woman who said she lives in the same building but a couple of sections away. She said she had seen me out and wanted to meet my dogs and to tell me that she is going through a hard time and needs things to do so she would like to help take them out if I should ever need someone to do that. As we spoke, she began telling me of the things going on in her family and that she had been in a couple of car accidents and had also been sick, therefore was having a lot of pain and needed to take pain medications but that her "friend" had stolen them from her and she didn't have any. She asked me if I took them. I could tell that she was under the influence of some substance and suspected she was looking for someone to obtain pain medications from. I told her that I do not keep them around. She then began asking if she could clean my apartment or do something to earn some money. At one point she told me she didn't want me to be afraid of her if I hired her to work for me to which I replied that I am not afraid. I belong to Jesus Christ and have no reason to fear. I also told her there are angels always around to guard me (which I believe for many reasons) so I felt completely protected. I then prayed for her and asked for God to heal her body and spirit and to mend her broken heart. (There was more to our talk but space is limited.)
Later in the afternoon, before my husband arrived home from work, I was again on the front lawn with my "boys". The neighbor from the apartment above mine came down and was working on something in the back of his truck. Because one of my dogs is very protective of me, we began talking about how dogs have unconditional love. He said he is getting old now and has had many dogs during his lifetime. I assured him he is not old. He said he was going to be 47 but didn't fear growing older. I told him that I don't worry about age either and that since each day is a gift, God can keep giving me those gifts for as long as He chooses and I will be grateful. I was somewhat surprised when he told me, "I was a Christian for twenty five years." He pulled up his sleeves and showed me several tattoos about Jesus. But then he said that as he has gotten older he has begun thinking that there must be "something else out there." I told him that Jesus is everything to me. Our conversation was cut short but I hope we get to continue it the next time I see him.
When we sold our home and moved into the the apartment, my husband was apologetic because he knew that I would really have preferred to stay in a house. What I told him then was that there was nothing to apologize for. I wholeheartedly believe that we are where the Lord wants us to be. Today was confirmation of that for me.
Each of us has a mission field. Wherever we find ourselves, that is where God has a plan for us. Numerous people will cross our paths. Some will know Jesus, and some will not. When we keep our eyes and ears open, and are willing to reach out to those around us, opportunities to share the love of our Savior will present themselves. When they do, we need to be willing to share our faith, even though it may be scary to do so. God Himself has assured us that He will be us. If He is there, as He promised, then what is there to fear? I pray that we all look for those opportunities, grasp the hand of the Almighty, and share the greatest gift that has ever been given - Jesus. God bless.
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