I've been having this pitty party for some time now.... I've been unemployed for over a year, we just entered into bankruptcy, I had a torn rotator cuff and have been dealing with other health issues. Well, you get the idea.....
This morning I was just running into all sort of snags and to top it off, my 2 pre-teen daughters just decided to give me a hard time. I felt God calling me all morning to just STOP and spend some time with him, but I ignored him. Finally, this afternoon, I just sat down, prayed, and read my daily devotions.
Today's devotion was based on 2 Corinthians 8:14-15: Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As Scriptures say, "Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough." As I read it, I thought to myself, "Oh, what a boring devotion, how does this even apply to me?" I just kept at it and started writing in my journal.
Fast forward:
This afternoon, I went to the post office to mail out my job applications. As I was walking up to the door, I saw a woman sitting on the ground that says "I lost job, need help, have kids." I proceeded to enter the building and as I walked in, I thought to myself "Wow, I really don't have anything to complain about." I tried to erase the vision on the woman sitting on the ground out of my memory, but I knew that I will see her again when I leave the building. So I reached in my purse and pulled out a few bucks. I had quite a bit of money in my purse, but I thought to myself, "Oh, I'll just give her a few dollars, you never know, she might be trying to scam people."
I begin to exit the building and I knew she noticed me digging in my purse. I knelt down on the ground and handed her the money. When she reached out her hard, she put her sign down and I was shocked to see a "belly" on this woman. It's flipping hot outside, the concrete is hard and she's pregnant! I knew then and there that she wasn't a scam artist. I gave her the money, but I knew that wasn't enough. I started a conversation with her. She didn't speak very good English. I asked if I could pray for her, and I did.
As I walked away, my heart sank and I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. I wish there was more I could do for her. I opened the trunk of my with the hope that I'd find "something" more to give to her, but all I had was 2 itty-bitty bottles of room temperature water. I grabbed it and went back to give it to this lady.....her name was Elena..... she was from Romania. Someone promised her a job, so she came out to Elk Grove. She took the bus from Marconi. The person that promised her a job couldn't give her the job because she didn't have the "paperwork".
So many people are hurting. My pitty-party was..... well, God definitely put things into perspective. Here I am, wallowing in self-pitty, when this woman was in a much worse case than I was. I have so much to be thankful for!
I pray for "God Encounters" quite often, and I knew this was a divine appointment. God doesn't just show up when you notice Him, He's been there the whole time. God often times put difficult situations and people in our path.... it's up to us weather to entertain the situation or go the other direction.
Nothing in this life just happens.....
