I tried calling a dear couple that are friends of mine a couple of times with no answer. I went walking at the park and thought I would try once again after I finished walking as I was in the car cooling off with the air conditioning running. This dear couple is older in age than me. They are friends from Ohio but no longer reside there like I also do not reside there. This is the couple that got married at midnight at the turn of the century going into the 2000's. I remember this oh so well as if I was back there sitting in the church at their wedding. How many weddings are you invited to that start at midnight? The only one I can say I have been invited to like this. They were older in age when they got married to each other. What I loved … there was a song played during the ceremony and they actually danced with each other right on the platform. Not a crazy type of dance but a loving dance with them arm in arm, how romantic to dance before the Lord together as a couple dances together. Let's call it the dance of love. Done in beautiful taste I may add.
Just as we connect on the phone I see a man walking with their little toddler heading to the parking lot. I think I recognize him from an Ohio church we attended. I tell my friends I think one of the ______ brothers is walking towards me. I put the call on pause and rolled down the car window. I then said excuse me , are you one of the ______ brothers? He responded yes. I then told him I was talking with Jesse and Terry on the phone. Did he remember them. He responded yes so I put him on the speaker phone to say a few words. What are the odds of me speaking with friends from Ohio and another church member from the same church we all attended is just in front of me? But God, but God. They have the kindest parents and they did well in raising their children. Their father was an elder at the church we attended. He always had such a sweet disposition when I attended church. Such a gentleness about him.
Maybe a year or two ago a similar experience happened at Belmont Church. I saw one of the other brothers and inquired in the lobby area of the church. Sure enough another brother and he took a selfie type of picture and sent it to his parents telling them I said hello. Also at this particular church another Ohio connection. A pastor from an Ohio church is now on staff at this church. I went up to him prior to the service starting and asked if it was ok to play the rain stick. He gave me the thumb up and it was a glorious time of worship. I do long for the days of church gatherings where the saints gather for an event and worship together. Not via a computer but in person worship. There is a special blessing when the people gather to worship Jesus.
Let's now look at the flip side of journeys. What happens if the characters are summoned by Holy Spirit to go here, do this and show up and they choose to not respond? It is no less of a journey for the one that does respond but less of a journey and possible missed journey for those that do not respond. I recently experienced this the other day. I heard Holy Spirit ever so clear to go on this journey. I was to connect with another and it did not happen. I know this was Holy Spirit wooing me. On the journey there I was listening to praise music in the car and as I got closer to the region the Glory shout rose up inside of me in the car and I released it. I cannot explain it but it feels like love personified. I heard, I responded. I went here, there and all the places on the mental list Holy Spirit was nudging me to go to. I missed it but kept going on the journey, did not see who I was suppose to see on this journey. He even gives me 1 last round at this and has me swing around in direction and head to Kroger's. My chores were fulfilled and He was faithful to me on this half journey. You know the coffee I purchased at TJ Maxx? It has no flavor at all let alone Butter Rum. I have the receipt and back it will go to TJ Maxx.
When you are on a journey and it involves other people you really are at the mercy of will the others respond to that same call and then respond to Holy Spirit nudge. If they do not then one can begin to wonder if they heard clearly. In those moments do not give up HOPE and do not doubt what you have been called to ok. Do not let the vision/dream dissipate and go away. Still keep it tucked in your heart and move forward and not retreat backwards. Sometimes that is the struggle to want to let go of that dream. I must have been questioning Holy Spirit that I missed Him in hearing Him to go where I went with no meeting. He redeemed this journey for me. At TJ Maxx the clerk complimented me on my coordinated outfit I was wearing. Including the earrings and my mask all coordinated together. At Kroger's as I was heading out my car a shopper told me the flowers were beautiful. I talked with her and she told me she bought the yellow sunflowers. I encouraged her to go back into the store and also get the colored sunflowers I bought that they would coordinate nice together. I held them up to show her the yellow striping would compliment the yellow sunflowers. She thanked me.
It was the time after the journey that I probably asked Holy Spirit if I missed it. He so graciously set up last nights journey to show me I did not miss it and that last night all the players lined up and we were all in sync. Have I missed it before, probably. Will I miss it in the future, good chance I will miss it here and there. If I do I see that someone else may be relying on me to show up to encourage them or as a confirmation in their life also. Be tender to hearing Holy Spirit beckoning you and then respond ok. It is not all about you per say but possibly another person.
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