Fast forward to
last night, Tuesday night, April 12, 2022. John and Shawna Keehner lead
a wonderful monthly ministry of providing meals to our community. A
great team prepares, cooks, serves, and delivers. I was blessed to be
able to deliver several meals to some Eaton homes.
One
of those homes was the house of a man named Fred. That name means
something to me as Dad's name is Fred as well as my middle name. I
knocked, stepped back and waited. In a few seconds a man opened the
door. I introduced myself and he the same. He shared he has thought
about visiting. He shared some health battles he has. I asked if I
could pray for him. He invited me in, and before I prayed, I asked
him,"Fred, are you a Christian?" He shook his head no, and I asked for
the privilege to share and he graciously said yes. How wonderful it was
to hear him pray and ask Jesus into his heart, right there in his
kitchen.
I was thrilled and left with the expectation he may be here Sunday.
I
share this to praise the Lord! It was a divine appointment. Not because I
am anything special, but because of God's grace and how he chooses at
times to use people. You see I knew where the house was because Travis
and Carlena McDaniel are usually the ones who drop off Fred's dinner.
God has been using their faithfulness, and friendliness, month after
month, that opened the door for me last night. He used the faithful
cooking and serving, and preparing from many of you. The team had
prayed prior to my arrival at the church last night, and God was already
at work in a heart and we didn't know it.
Are
you still following me? It gets a little funny at this point. I was
talking to my sister Sheila when I pulled into Fred's driveway and asked
her to hang on, this will only be a second. After a number of minutes I
returned to the car and she was still on the line! She thought I had
been abducted by a prospect, but she soon rejoiced when I shared the
story with her.
And
then... it hit me! God had just given me the greatest privilege
outside of being saved,and that was to share the Gospel and see a person
respond and accept Christ. Forty six years to the very night, what had
happened in my heart continues to happen in the hearts of others
recognizing their need to be saved. Jesus saves.
I
don't share this story because I think I am something...I am not. I
share this to encourage you! Us! God is a work in our church in a great
way. He is answering prayer. Lives are being changed and God is using
you.
