Friday, December 2, 2011

SIde of the Road Blessings

I want to share a story with you. Yesterday, I was at work for 45 minutes and I got so sick I could barely move. So I politely asked my boss if I could work from home that day- I just upkeep a website so that was okay with him. I start driving home and I see this woman FRANTICALLY running down the highway. She has no coat on, it's 35 degrees outside or it feels like it is anyways. She has a gas can in her hand and I could see tears on her face even from the road. I have never before in my life stopped for anyone on the side of the road. I don't know why. Maybe it's dangerous, but this time I heard God so clearly and I could not ignore His voice. But I felt horrible, but I couldn't argue with Him. He asked me to stop and help His daughter. So scared out of my mind- I did just that. I stopped all the while imagining a warm bed and pepto bismol. But He chose compassion over exhaustion and so would I. Even in what seems like a simple moment. She gets in my car and without hesitation continually thanks me over and over again. So I asked her what her story was and she told me that her truck had simply stopped on the side of the road-she ran out of gas and needed to get her daughter and her granddaughter home. Simple as that, no huge story. So I was thinking and praying the whole time on the way to the gas station when she looked at me and said: "You must have Jesus in you." I didn't even have to speak His name and she knew. He was there. He had orchestrated this. Oh me of little faith!! I didn't even speak and God spoke through little, sickly, about-to-throw-up-all-over-you ME. I drove her back to her truck and asked if I could pray with her. She then told me a whole slew of just downright ugly things she and her family was going through. She hurriedly got out of my car so right there I prayed for her and her family in my car and it hit me. I was sick for a reason. I got sick at just the right time so I could be Jesus for somebody. When I left I was still sick, but in a sense it was a more enjoyable sick because I knew every little moment in my life-good or bad- is orchestrated by a wonderful Savior who cares for each of His children just the same. Jesus so tenderly whispered to me, "Chelsea. See how suffering always has a purpose?"

 I am going through a tough season, but the Lord is showing me that when His children suffer, He always has a purpose for this. A purpose that far exceeds our scale of thinking. A purpose that will benefit not only me, but those around me. That I won't even have to speak and God with all of His glory will do all the talking. I may be suffering right now, I may be in the darkest place, but I can smile and enjoy it. Because I know. I know that Jesus will have victory. Just like He did today. Just like He does every day. So I will praise Him and know that this season is for His glory.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19