Perfect Stranger
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“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they” (Matthew 6:26)?
I had never before embraced a perfect stranger.
As I left McDonald’s at Vanderbilt hospital that Sunday morning she stood just inside the door, small bag with breakfast in one hand, a few pieces of change in the other. Her face showed defeat and helplessness; unfettered tears slid down her face. I walked toward her, feeling her pain and wrapped my arms around her. I hugged her while she cried. I wanted to cry with her but I was temporarily out of tears.
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Her daughters, she told me, had been in an auto accident on the way to school. The oldest was driving and relatively unharmed but the youngest had a broken back. She’d been airlifted from Kentucky and was now stable but in constant pain. This mom hadn’t considered her own needs until this moment of realization. Her husband had headed home to Kentucky that morning and she had only a few dollars. This breakfast would be her last meal for the week.
Except that it wouldn’t, because the God who provided manna and loaves and fishes had provided for us as well. She just didn’t know it yet.
My 7 year old daughter at that moment was upstairs in ICU. She and my son had been on the way home when their school bus crashed into a truck. My son escaped with minimal physical damage but my daughter suffered an open traumatic brain injury and was still in a coma. And like the other mom, every single moment and every effort was focused on my precious children. God’s workers, however, had a more encompassing view. Friends and strangers did what I couldn’t do for myself. They slipped money in my pockets for vending machines. They brought meals and baskets of food, gift bags full of snacks, sack lunches, fruits and candies in addition to gifts overflowing for my sleeping child.
I had an unexpected moment of joy seeing my new friend’s face when I told her how God had provided. There was more than enough for all of us. God had not forgotten us, even if we’d forgotten ourselves. He’d brought us together to share his blessing, his care and bounty delivered from the hands of his servants. We experienced his sweet and tender love in a strong and personal way.
We’re not alone or abandoned, no matter how desperate the situation. Our God still provides.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16).
Question: How has God unexpectedly provided for you in the past? What provisions do you need to pray about for the future?
13 Responses to “Perfect Stranger”
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My testimony
I was at the lowest part of my life that was still in sIN even though I had commited my life to Jessu a few years back. I had gon to the ends of my rope of losing a dad a week before i was to move to Toronto area, then i had a gall bladder attack, then I moved around finding a place to live, then I lost my job-finally a had a nervous breakdown that took my life away except to know that only Jesus could save a wretch like me. He then brought me home to recover and listen as my mom was dying of breast cancer. I had another break down but now that mom gave her life to Jesus and is now in heaven. I am free of all that mess. I own my parents home, have a car and am very happy becasue of total commitment to Jesus=100% amen.
In life sometimes God puts impossibilities in our path in order for us to submit to his will or to show us that he will care for us. I had an extremely challenging childhood as I do not have the ability to remember any details growing up. The memory that I do have when I was a bit older is of my younger brother being born and that God cared enough for me that he did not take him home until I prayed for God to do his will as that very night he passed on. Previously I prayed that God would keep him alive and God proved to me that he did love me as he only took my brother to heaven after I asked him to do so.
Later on in my life God showed me once again that he loved me as when my ex-wife left me and I was penniless he sent a kind older man who fed me and showed me that God still loved me.
I look at the trials in my life that are occurring now and I trust Christ. When others pass on I look to Isaiah 57: 1 “Good people pass away; the godly often die before there time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from evil to come”.
I ask Christ to give me strength for the challenges of life that I face and Isaiah 58: 11 “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well watered garden, like an ever flowing spring.” comes to mind. If we are never dry we will never understand the feeling of the joy filled life of the holy spirit which is the ever flowing spring.
One final verse when I want to give up Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. God’s promises
God bless
I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes. I’ve been on vacation, off line, and only now am reading these comments. Your words are unexpected blessings, more of God’s provision, as I’ve been agonizing over what God wants me to do with the words that come to me. Thank you for the priviledge of praying for and with you, and for your beautiful prayers and encouragement. Our God is an awesome God and his family is amazing.
i was sleeping on air mattresses for over 7 yrs b/c i could not afford a new mattress. i was developing intense headaches and backaches which was reeking havoc on the spinal fusion i had years ago. One morning it was so bad, i couldn’t even walk! The pain in my spine wouldn’t let me. i had to lie down on the floor and stay there. i cried and cried my eyes out b/c i just didn’t know what to do. i was always so afraid to apply for credit of any kind b/c i didn’t know if i could continue paying the payments till a brand new mattress was paid off. This day while crying on the floor, the LORD encouraged me to go to the store that He would lead me to and apply for credit. i obeyed and got it! When i told my friend about my experience, he sent me 2 of the 5 payments! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!! i now have one of those posterpedic mattresses and suffer no more headaches and backaches. God actually cares about what we sleep on! It was fear that had me bound. Praise the LORD again and again!
My prayers go out to you as well Sally. When somethng happens to our children it is devastating. May Our Loving Father hold you in His everlasting arms! When my car “died” and not having any family to turn to, i had NO idea what to do. A couple from my Bible study group handed me the keys to thier really nice Explorer and told me to use it till the LORD provided me with another vehicle. Within one week, my mechanic told me his neighbor was selling his daughter’s car. It was more than i could afford yet when i went to the bank, they were able to transfer the old loan over to another one where i could. The neighbor even lowered the price! God had never worked so fast in my life before! Talk about JOY!
God has used others to help me and my exchange student out for the past 10 months with money, food, gas, paying bills and car note. Since I lost my job I have been asking God what does he want me to do/where doews He want me to go. It seems like there’s not end in sight but today’s author is true He’s there using others to accomplished His task. So today I was down but this devotion has strengthened/encouraged me to journey on. I pray for a job, a place to live but most importantly God’s direction for my life! Thanks
It is amazing what God does just when we need him most, he is always faithful to supply, he know our burdens, in time you will look back and see how God had this all worked out for you. I pray for healing and continued health for each child , strength and grace for each parent and friend that is praying for this situation. God puts the people he wants just where he wants them to be at an given time.
Hi Sally, I sit here filled with love and sorrow for you and your friend. And I am awestruck by the power of God once again. What amazing grace He shows to us through those around us in our time of need. Bless you Sally and your friend. I am so encouraged today by your devotional. May God keep you and bless you in tremendous ways.
Thank you Sally. This devotional meant more than you can even begin to imagine. God just spoke to me through you giving me hope about a particular situation I have been praying about. He really does provide. All the time. In ways that we can never even begin to imagine or dream. I hope your kids and the kids of your new friend are now healed. We thank God for being our provider and protector. GOd bless you!
Wow!! This was very touching. God always sends help just in time
We have a great God. Even though he sends us events to be endured, he always provides the means by which we can endure these trials, This could be medicine, love, comfort in weakness, renewed hope in disappointment, tears for sorrow. He never abandons us. Although it seems like it sometimes.
Sally,
Thank you for such a beautiful illustration of our Jehova Jireh. I really needed to be reminded today of His faithfulness to supply all my needs and I loved your story. I pray that your children ended up healing quickly and are back to full health.
In Christ’s Love,
Jessica Martinez
Founder – God’s Chosen Princess
http://www.facebook.com/GodsChosenPrincess
I love this because it is so true. God never leaves us or forsakes us. He is always with us 24 hours a day seven days a week. God has provided me with a good job, a roof over my head, and meals on my table. God has blessed me very well especially with two fine children who are now grown. I can not make it without my Lord and saviour. I need his guidance everyday.
My prayer to Jesus is that my daughter may find a job and help her with her migraines. Jesus if you could find it in your heart to place me with a good man to spend the rest of my life with. I am not good at picking out husbands. I pray these things in precious holy name Jesus. Amen