A Word in Due Season

I just spent 3 days in Jersey. New Jersey. Atlantic City.

I will blog on my impressions of Atlantic City which is at best a Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, Miami, Las Vegas wannabe. Not good.

I was checking out of the Hotel I stayed in. Ocean View. Very nice hotel; terrible neighborhood.

Sonja was her name, a lovely black woman in her late 40s.

I looked at her and immediately knew to speak. This is how is works with me. I didn't touch her; I just knew the next words were critical.

I said, "You are a Christian". She teared up and said yes but she was struggling.

I didn't say much more. I told her that God knows her and He knows all about her situation and loves her deeply.

This isn't rocket science theology. Of course it's true.

The lobby was quiet. For the next 5 minutes she poured out her heart. Somehow she needed an ear. I was one.

I listened, I didn't give advice. She asked me questions and kept talking. She quoted scripture (she was well schooled) and I affirmed what she quoted.

She told me "This very morning I told God I was done in my marriage, I was moving out of the house, I was getting out of town". He dad is in a nursing home in Brooklyn dying. She is in a dead end job she hates.

After she ran her course I said, "God's purpose is for you to not move quickly in the passion of the moment". (There was no abuse). "The discontent you feel right now is part of what he is doing to take you where he wants to take you, but you must be clear on what that is". (Again, not rocket science).

Then I shared a few things about difficulty in marriages and how that really looks to God. I have written a great deal about this and it is linked here.

She looked at me, cocked her head and said, "You're a Pastor aren't you". I said I don't Pastor a Church but I am a Minister and work with a Church.

Then she said, "I prayed for an answer this morning and asked God to send an angel or someone to deliver it. You did. I know now what I am supposed to do". She then wrote her and her husband's name address and phone number on a piece of paper and asked me to pray for her. I did.

Mostly I prayed in tongues. That's why the gift of Tongues is so wonderful, the Holy Spirit prays God's perfect will thru us so that even when we don't know what or how to pray he allows us to pray with accuracy and specificity to exactly the need and purposes of God. Romans 8:26-28

That is a Gift. 1 Cor. 14: 14 - 15, 18

It's also a gift to be a gift of God to someone else and I'm thankful for the gift of discernment and a word of Knowledge that allowed me to move with boldness and confidence.

I'm also thankful for my age and place in life. I am pretty fearless in ministry where 20 years ago I would have been more timid.

I can't tell you what or how Sonja's life will be directed. I do think God spoke to her yesterday. He just used my mouth.

Thank You Lord for using me again.