Ministry at McDonald's

It had been a long night at the hospital waiting on the arrival of the little one. I had not eaten much all day so about midnight; I was getting hungry. The only place to get anything to eat in the hospital was McDonald’s. I’m not a big fan of theirs but I decided a hamburger would do until morning.

I waited my turn in line along with the other hospital personal on their ‘lunch breaks’. When I got up to the counter, I ordered a hamburger and ice water. When the server brought it over, she told me it would be a dollar even. I reached in my purse for my wallet but it was not there. Frustrated, I told the server my wallet was missing and would have to go back upstairs before I could pay for it. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a nurse hand over a dollar bill to pay for my burger. I graciously thanked her. She responded that she was glad to help out others when she could. I never saw her again.

 

When I returned to the waiting room upstairs, I found my wallet and told my son about the kindness and how much I appreciated God blessing me in that moment. He agreed.

The next morning, my son went down to the McDonald’s to have breakfast with two other relatives. He shared my story from the night before and then he declared,

“I would like to help others who are in need of a meal too.

Help was given to me and now I want to do the same for others.”

It wasn’t five minutes later until a scruffy old woman walked up to my son and asked if he would buy her a hamburger. He escorted the woman over to the counter. She ordered two hamburgers with extra mayo. Silence surrounded them as they waited together. After she received her meal, she left as quietly as she came.

As I pondered on this story, two questions kept coming to mind.

Was my missing wallet part of a ‘setup’ by God to start a chain of events He was already orchestrating? So many times in my life, when I have taken the time to look back, I can see how God was working for the good in a situation I think are worthless. I have allowed my frustration, disappointment in myself, or my embarrassment to overshadow the process. Focus on my negative feelings instead of allowing my praises to arise for God’s provision. The choice to fine-tune my attitude encouraged further ministry. My son caught the wind of the Spirit and pledged himself to do the same. My son not only helped with a meal but he also gave a living testimony to the relatives who had accompanied him for breakfast.

What if the nurse had not responded to the Spirit’s leading with a heart of generosity? She never got to see what her simple act of obedience fostered. When we submit to a prompting in a similar moment, we may never know what God has planned either. But the goal is not the credit but to have a heart that chooses to bless others.

 

When we choose to be apart of His plan, the Spirit can do amazing things!

Becoming Grandma

I became a Grandma on January 21 in Louisville, KY. My son and his wife celebrated the birth of their first child, Andrew Marshall Downs, 5lbs. 3oz., and 19 in. long. The pregnancy was high-risk because my daughter in law developed a blood clot in the groin area. Everything had to be tailored around her blood thinner during the birthing. We were up 3 days straight. Finally, I went into the hospital chapel, knelt down and prayed a quick prayer, “Lord, I’ve had enough. You are going to have to do something.” Within an hour, a healthy baby boy was delivered. Being there at the delivery and becoming a Grandma is priceless.

Andrew came fresh from heaven and our Heavenly Father’s Presence. God has placed a ‘seed of need’ for Jesus within Andrew’s heart already. His giftings and calling are calculated, too. Nothing has been forgotten or left to chance. Andrew has been placed here for a specific purpose. It will be up to Andrew to draw close to God as he grows and matures in this life. As Andrew draws near, God will be able to reveal the wonderful plan He has for Andrew’s life.

Becoming a Grandma will remain a great blessing for years to come. However, this honor does not come with fun and games alone. There are responsibilities attached. As a grandparent, I need to make sure that Andrew hears and understands the richness of the Bible. I need to share my experiences of faith and the wisdom I have gained. And…I need to tell him about the miracles I have seen and the value of fervent prayer. If I do not teach Andrew about the love of Jesus and help him to experience a life in God’s Presence, then I will be in danger of robbing him of a life of joy and peace in the Lord along with the destiny God has planned for him. Worldly wisdom will invade but I want him to have a godly foundation in place so that he can choose his direction wisely.

Do you have children around you that need to know the love of God? They may or may not be your own family. It doesn’t really matter. Children everywhere need good Christian counsel. The older generations need to help the younger generations to know these basic truths:

1.    God is real and wants to be in a close relationship with each of us.

2.    Jesus loves everyone no matter what and sacrificed his life for our salvation and other benefits.

3.    The Holy Spirit will teach us how to expedience the abundant life through our Christ-like character development.

We all need to consider where our responsibility lies in teaching the young ones the faith. If we don’t share, then how will they know? Not telling the little ones about Jesus would be like keeping them from the one who loves them the most.

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, let little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” 

Luke 18:16

When God sends the gift of a child, sharing the love of Christ with them is safeguarding the gift and helping the gift return back to Him eternally. You witness of love will mean everything to the one who gets to hear.

The One That Multiplies

Matthew has spent years proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the villages of India with little results. After many hours of prayer and hard work, Matthew had only one faithful convert. Matthew did not understand what God was doing. He knew he had been called to this place. God why did you send me here knowing there were be so little response?

Then the situation got worse. Matthew’s only convert became very sick. The doctors tried to save him but the man died anyway. Matthew was devastated and cried out to God:

What are you doing God? Now my only convert is dead?

After four days, the body was prepared for burial. As the village gathered around the body, God spoke to Matthew’s heart,

Go, uncover his face and pray.

At first Matthew was uncomfortable with the request because he did not consider himself to be a great man of faith. Then again,

Go, uncover his face and pray.

Matthew pushed back the fear and follow the Lord’s leading. He walked up to the body, uncovered the man’s face, and prayed, “Lord, in obedience to You, I lay my hands on this man and I ask for you to heal him in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

The words barely got out of Matthew’s mouth when the man gasped for air. Matthew was astonished. And the village…well they will never be the same again.

In His timing, God had answered the cries from Matthew’s heart for the people of his village. There was no question in anyone’s mind that Matthew’s God was real and powerful. There, in that moment, a whole new church was born.

When I heard this present day miracle over the holidays, my heart leaped for joy. And as I pondered what happen, these two truths seemed to pop out.

·      The way God handles ministry can often be misunderstood because of His timing. We go in expecting the immediate results. If we do not see progress, we assume we made a mistake. Sometimes, we do not take into account the need for periods of intercession as well as learning about and getting to know the people/situation we are to serve.

·      Matthew did not lay his hands on the dead man because he had great faith in himself. He did it out of obedience and confidence/faith in God’s words and abilities. So often when God wants to do the miraculous, we hold back by putting the spotlight on our lack and not on God’s abundance. The power for this mighty miracle came with Matthew simply surrendering to what God had asked him to do.

This story gave me hope. Those things, which I have been praying for and waiting to manifest, are still under God’s care. And in the end, it is not about building great faith in my abilities but in God’s. When God asks me to step up and act, His creative miracles are ready to come forth to do the impossible.

What Are You Expecting Of Me?

“I lost my job today,” Julia said with a sigh as she sat on the sofa beside me.

OH NO!” I replied. “What happened?”

“I was over $14.27 in my cash drawer. I don’t know how. I counted everything. And this was the third strike against me in this area. Three strikes and you’re automatically fired. I am a reliable worker and my manager thinks so too yet I am suspended until farther notice,” Julia said.

Faith began to rise up as I replied, “I know this situation looks impossible but I am learning nothing is impossible with God. Please give God a chance to work on your behalf and do not speak in negative terms about your job. Let your good character and work performance speak forth. I cannot promise anything. However, we will pray that God’s favor will triumph when your boss calls the corporate office. 

I am not sure Julia was actually on board with the idea at first but as we prayed, she seemed to relax and we sealed the deal with a hug.

The next day, I sat by Julia in church. During the praise and worship, the Lord spoke to me and told me to ask Julia this question:

What are you expecting from Me?

Knowing the Lord desired to teach Julia to trust Him with her job, I wrote the question on a scrape of paper and handed it to her. She read it, smiled, and hugged me again.

Later that afternoon, Julia received a call. Her boss had talked to the corporate office about the error. Corporate wanted to stay firm on the rules until Julia’s boss stressed that even with the error, Julia was still one of her most dependable workers. After hearing that plea, corporate decided to give Julia one more chance.

We both learned from this experience of trusting in God so with joy, we both celebrated the victorious news.

And now…as I take down the Christmas decorations, that same question keeps coming back, challenging me to walk closer to God this year. I know my heart wants to but how can that happen when my mind accuses me of unworthiness?

Then Jesus gently reminded me,

“My blood continuously cleanses you of all unrighteousness. There are no barriers keeping My favor away. When your mind accuses you of unworthiness, who is behind those lies? I desire to freely bless you with grace and favor beyond measure, if you will allow Me entrance into your daily situations.” Jesus held out His hand, “Come…let us walk close together in this brand new year.”

And so I ask you…

What are you expecting from Jesus this year?

Are you ready to change habitual thoughts and attitudes? Will you let go and allow God to work on your behalf? Favor does not come because of our abilities and righteousness. It comes because of our acceptance of His. Allow God to work on your behalf this New Year and watch the marvelous begin.