I know, I’ve got a bad habit of using superlatives too often. Naturally when speaking of God we can never over-do it, but such isn’t the case concerning other matters. However, that being said, when I say yesterday was “a special day” I’m not exaggerating the least bit. It was totally AWESOME!
Although every Sunday is “special”, even though some people don’t think of it as such, this one was different. To start with it was special to Bev and I because we each had one of our sisters visiting from Missouri. Bev’s sister, Shirley, had been here before and many of you know her, but my sister, Linda, had not visited us since we moved from Missouri 35 years ago. It has been a joy having them with us. But this day was special for other reasons also.
Two things happened that made this a day to remember. First, one of our faithful men, a man active in our music ministry, was saved and baptized–that is always awesome! Secondly, a young lady from Russia made a public profession of faith in Christ and was baptized. She will soon be returning home to Russia, but she will never be forgotten.
I’ll never forget the day LeAnna showed up at our church. It’s not everyday that someone from Russia, without any transportation other than a bike, shows up on your door-step. In case you haven’t noticed—God works in strange ways!
I won’t try to tell the whole story, but I’m not stretching the truth when I say it is amazing. God used some of His people to provide LeAnna and her friend Christina a place to stay, a job, and a car to drive. Now we see some of the results of their kindness (I say “some” because the rest of the story is yet to be told). It is truly amazing to see what God will do when His people do what they should do. It pays off in a big way when you allow God to use you and this is evidence of that.
As a pastor, I could not be more proud of those who are a part of this story. They stepped up to the plate at a crucial time and hit a home run! And to think that it all started with a kind word to a total stranger in the church office and a church full of friendly people who received these two girls with open arms—amazing! Nothing is more thrilling than watching God work in people’s lives.
We can always find 1001 excuses for not doing what we should, but when we face our fears, get self out of the way, and do as God leads, blessings are sure to follow. I’m so thrilled and thankful that God let me witness all this. It was indeed “a special day”—I’m glad I didn’t miss it. Did you? I can’t hardly wait to see what God does next. I bet it will be AWESOME! Think about it.
