??who’s In My Neighborhood????

Written by stacy

“Offer the parts of your body to God as instruments of righteousness.???
(Romans 6:13)

I walked up to my condo. All around me people were coming and going and yet I had not met a single neighbor. Everyone seemed so busy and intent on where they were going.

“Lord???, I prayed as I unlocked my front door, “if there is someone here whose heart is hungry to know about You, will You please show me. I don’t know how to begin to reach out on this busy street. I offer myself to You as an instrument of Your love.???

Less than a week later I was carrying groceries into the house when a woman from a few doors down opened her door and called to me. Our daughters had played together at the little playground a few times. She invited me in for coffee.

I set the last bag of groceries on the kitchen table. I’d put them away later. As I headed out the door I breathed a prayer asking God to give me the right words as I visited with this neighbor. She may have a hungry heart that was looking for God. “Pour love through me???, I prayed as I crossed the sidewalk.

We easily chatted over coffee. The girls played nearby.? Then she turned our conversation to spiritual things. She had lost a loved one and had many questions. Some I could not answer but I could share with her how knowing Jesus made such a difference in my life.

Casually and without any awkwardness I was able to tell her how Jesus is my strength and how He helps me with raising my daughter and facing challenges in my life. We had a good visit.

As I left that day I knew I had been a part of a divine appointment. It felt so good to know God had given me what I needed to say as I had given Him what He needed to make Himself known in this lady’s kitchen and perhaps in her life. We moved not long afterward but I still think of her. God draws people to Himself yet He uses us as He does.

? God sees the hearts that long for something deeper than what this world offers them. We are His voice to speak, His hands to help and His arms to hug those He places in our path. He waits for us to be available. His Word reminds us that we have a part to play…

“Offer the parts of your body to God as instruments of righteousness.???(Romans 6:13)

~Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the difference knowing You makes in my life. I offer myself today to be Your instrument to show Your love in my circle of influence. Use me to speak or to do what You want as You draw hungry hearts to find You as their oasis. Thank you for this privilege of sharing what I have found in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

(GF26)

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About the Author
This article was written by Gail Rodgers. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/gail-rodgers/

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