This is an old post, but it meant a lot to me...one of a few that I feel is worthwhile to retell...
I had just returned to the apartment from the morning service at Riverside Community Church (RCC) in Pittsburgh. I had parted company with Sis Ellie and Jessica. They each had their own engagements respectively - one with friends, the other with family.
Left alone for the rest of the day with no lunch and nothing good on t.v., I decided to take Matt's jeep out and have a burger for lunch at my favourite eating place in Pittsburgh - King's Family Restaurant, and then pay 6 bucks for "A Million Dollar Baby" - directed by Clint Eastwood.
Clint Eastwood made famous that line "Go ahead...make my day" in one of his old cowboys flicks. But little did I know that God was working behind the scenes...
I screamed along in the 4X4 headed for my destination which was about 20 minutes away. Well, the muffler was broken and noisy and the wind was perforating in under the canvas hooded top. I had to scream to be heard if i were to talk, but i was alone.
The sun was out while winter had snugly set itself in; roads were empty as feet high snow piled up alongside; water flowed and dripped only to be frozen by the winter chill again into large armour piercing icicles suspended menacingly but lodged firmly along the edges of cliffs.
Man! I LOVE driving!
I pulled into the lot, clambered out of my warm shell, shuddered at the sudden change in temperature, and heaved a warm breath of vapour into the air. FUN! Warm vapour spewed from my nostrils for the brief moments that followed - suddenly i became this raging bull as my imagination got the better of me while I trudged along the next few steps in the cold headed toward the restaurant entrance.
"Table for one, non-smoking please. Thank You"
"Ok, I'll enjoy my Classic King Burger like I always did and then I'll go see me "Million Dollar Baby". I'll make sure I pay 6 buckaroos instead of 8.50." - I thought. That was the plan.
Then I was led to an empty seat. The waiter set the table right, and I was about to sit my precious bottom down when I heard a voice speak. "I'm sorry, I'm already seated here. I just left for the restroom."
God? Nah! See, I had been praying hard, seeking to hear God about things in my heart.
I screamed along in the 4X4 headed for my destination which was about 20 minutes away. Well, the muffler was broken and noisy and the wind was perforating in under the canvas hooded top. I had to scream to be heard if i were to talk, but i was alone.
The sun was out while winter had snugly set itself in; roads were empty as feet high snow piled up alongside; water flowed and dripped only to be frozen by the winter chill again into large armour piercing icicles suspended menacingly but lodged firmly along the edges of cliffs.
Man! I LOVE driving!
I pulled into the lot, clambered out of my warm shell, shuddered at the sudden change in temperature, and heaved a warm breath of vapour into the air. FUN! Warm vapour spewed from my nostrils for the brief moments that followed - suddenly i became this raging bull as my imagination got the better of me while I trudged along the next few steps in the cold headed toward the restaurant entrance.
"Table for one, non-smoking please. Thank You"
"Ok, I'll enjoy my Classic King Burger like I always did and then I'll go see me "Million Dollar Baby". I'll make sure I pay 6 buckaroos instead of 8.50." - I thought. That was the plan.
Then I was led to an empty seat. The waiter set the table right, and I was about to sit my precious bottom down when I heard a voice speak. "I'm sorry, I'm already seated here. I just left for the restroom."
God? Nah! See, I had been praying hard, seeking to hear God about things in my heart.
But as it turned out, I had come face-to-face with an elderly white-haired man dressed in a smart black suit with an American flag shaped lapel pin secured to the upper left side of his coat pocket.
"However, you are most welcome to sit with me and join me for lunch. I certainly don't mind if you don't."
"Sure!" was my instant reply. Actually, it took me about 3 seconds. Not that instantaneously instant. My eyes widened, my lips curled into a warm smile and my mind went "Wow, how nice! Why not?". All within that 3 second span.
John Myers was his name. And his game? You'll find out soon enough.
A really nice conversation ensued that lasted the course of my burger and Mr. Myers' 'usual'. I had my hot pot of tea, and he had his many cups of coffee. We learned so much about each other during that short time. We both prayed together and for each other, and we spoke values into each other, quoting scriptures and affirming each other. I told him my history of how I ended up here in Oakmont, and my vision for the future. He told me how he got here; about his family and children, and how he spends time as a retiree.
"Make sure you mention John Myers to Pastor Bill (Bill Ellis, my pastor in RCC). He's a really neat guy. He'll remember me."
"Sure!" was my instant reply. Actually, it took me about 3 seconds. Not that instantaneously instant. My eyes widened, my lips curled into a warm smile and my mind went "Wow, how nice! Why not?". All within that 3 second span.
John Myers was his name. And his game? You'll find out soon enough.
A really nice conversation ensued that lasted the course of my burger and Mr. Myers' 'usual'. I had my hot pot of tea, and he had his many cups of coffee. We learned so much about each other during that short time. We both prayed together and for each other, and we spoke values into each other, quoting scriptures and affirming each other. I told him my history of how I ended up here in Oakmont, and my vision for the future. He told me how he got here; about his family and children, and how he spends time as a retiree.
"Make sure you mention John Myers to Pastor Bill (Bill Ellis, my pastor in RCC). He's a really neat guy. He'll remember me."
Our conversation ended just like that.
Right before we parted ways at the parking lots, he only had one more thing to say to me...
"It was really a blessing to have had lunch with you. I thoroughly enjoyed your company. I'll be praying for you, and your family's salvation. You have an honourable vision, and you have my prayers." That was before we parted ways.
I said my goodbyes and gave him my heartfelt grattitude. I could tell from his last sentences that as much as I was touched by an angel, John Myers was equally blessed as well.
I found out a week later from Pastor Bill that John Myers is actually a retired Presbyterian Pastor. I was so moved when I heard that.
That set me reflecting...
I said my goodbyes and gave him my heartfelt grattitude. I could tell from his last sentences that as much as I was touched by an angel, John Myers was equally blessed as well.
I found out a week later from Pastor Bill that John Myers is actually a retired Presbyterian Pastor. I was so moved when I heard that.
That set me reflecting...
God knew that I was searching, and I needed prayers. All through January, God changed my life by sending Pastor Bill Ellis as my counsel. In friends I had Ron Hembree (President of CTVN), Norma Bixler (72 yrs old, and founder of CTVN), Tim Burgan (VP of CTVN), Steve Totin (head of Prisions Ministry in CTVN), and many others in CTVN to guide me, speak values into my life, pray and to encourage me. All of whom hardly knew me, let alone know of my desires and vision. Yet, they had greatly impacted me.
And then God arranged for Mr. Myers and I to meet on one particular day when I felt so alone.
God spoke to me the only way He knew I would respond to His calling in my life best - through Godly counsel - speaking the eternal promises of His word.
A lunch with a stranger. I never thought it would happen. Too Hollywood you think? Maybe. That was what I thought. Inviting someone who happens to be having lunch alone at the next table to sit with you? Who knows what that person might have been going through prior to lunch time. Who knows, maybe that person needed to feel valued and appreciated just to get through the rest of the day?
As surely as Jesus is with us in our lives, He is with us in every single aspect of our lives, even deciding to choose to eat a meal with a stranger.
Does doing something nice have to cost a lot? Speaking Godly values into the lives of others most certainly don't. Praying for others most certainly don't.
Hold the door just a second longer for another to enter. Wave for the person ahead of you to go before you. Smile and say "How ya DOH'ng?" with people who serve you, the people who work with you, and your friends. Life is stressful enough; a little kindness goes a long way towards easing things up.
I doubt any of those would equate to going out of one's way to render service. But to me, my lunch with a stranger, I thought that it was God going out of His way once again in His assurance of love to me. Bless others with God's love too.
And then God arranged for Mr. Myers and I to meet on one particular day when I felt so alone.
God spoke to me the only way He knew I would respond to His calling in my life best - through Godly counsel - speaking the eternal promises of His word.
A lunch with a stranger. I never thought it would happen. Too Hollywood you think? Maybe. That was what I thought. Inviting someone who happens to be having lunch alone at the next table to sit with you? Who knows what that person might have been going through prior to lunch time. Who knows, maybe that person needed to feel valued and appreciated just to get through the rest of the day?
As surely as Jesus is with us in our lives, He is with us in every single aspect of our lives, even deciding to choose to eat a meal with a stranger.
Does doing something nice have to cost a lot? Speaking Godly values into the lives of others most certainly don't. Praying for others most certainly don't.
Hold the door just a second longer for another to enter. Wave for the person ahead of you to go before you. Smile and say "How ya DOH'ng?" with people who serve you, the people who work with you, and your friends. Life is stressful enough; a little kindness goes a long way towards easing things up.
I doubt any of those would equate to going out of one's way to render service. But to me, my lunch with a stranger, I thought that it was God going out of His way once again in His assurance of love to me. Bless others with God's love too.
"As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man" Pro 27:19.
"Go ahead, make my day" indeed. God made my day through his servant, retired Pastor John Myers. The value of that lunch was worth more than a million dollars to me, as I went on to watch my "Million Dollar Baby" that afternoon.
"Go ahead, make my day" indeed. God made my day through his servant, retired Pastor John Myers. The value of that lunch was worth more than a million dollars to me, as I went on to watch my "Million Dollar Baby" that afternoon.
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ReplyDeleteJM: Innit amazing? Godly encounters with the human kind. =)
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