The "Totally Christmas Bash" is a place where people in the community can come so their kids can have fun, they can get free eye screening, a free family portrait, and free bags of groceries. Check out this little promo video.
http://fbcbranson.com/totally-christmas-bash1
I was sure that they would place me in the kids room. Tons of inflatables with lots of kids? Sounds right up my alley. Its what I am good at...its what I do. God had something different in store for Lee and I...the prayer room. The people that come to this event get to spend all the time that they want doing all the fun activities and getting all the free things. Right before they get their groceries they come through the line and sit down with a team of two people who is there to pray with them. I was nervous. What would these conversations be like? Would they just go through the motions to get groceries? How could I be impactful by a 15 minute conversation? There was no way right?
God used those 5 hours to physically show me how HE can make 15 minutes impactful.
1.) He puts the people together.
I was amazed how God's timing put the people in the line to meet Lee or I in line. One man was a roofer who can't find work. I have been begging Lee to fix our roof for the last three months. All of the roofers that we called have not returned our phone call. We were talking about it that morning how we just needed to find someone who could fix the patch in our roof. Low and behold a man sits with us who just can't find work and has 30 years of roofing experience under his belt. Not only that, they were Mormon. They needed groceries so they came. They need a roofing job, they are getting one. They need Jesus. We have Him and they are coming to my house. Divine appointment? I think so.
Another Family lost their home to foreclosure because of some awful renters. Just two weeks earlier Lee went in the house for job stuff. We had been in their world. We understood their frustration. We could relate. Divine meeting? No doubt about that.
2.) Encouragement goes along way
Lee and I realized early on that we had the privilege of telling these people how proud we are of them. The world sees them as insignificant, as a status bracket, as charity. Every single person who came that day is as significant to God as anyone else. They are strong, trying to provide for their families, making sacrifices to live together and make it work, and carrying large loads on their shoulders. Lee and I tried our best to listen and tell them how proud we were of them and how they inspired us. The truth is, I don't ever think I could be as strong as they are. My pride would keep me away from help and I would probably give up. If anything could happen in 15 minutes. I hoped I could give them confidence and encouragement.
3.) God can open the door to share the gospel as quick as he wants.
I was worried about this. I am not a "open up a track" and share the gospel type person. I will do it if I need to but I fumble through it awkwardly. Some people are gifted at doing it but I am not. I am better at sharing the gospel if given the opportunity in conversation. How was that going to happen? God reminded me that it could. People would tell us their stories and the Holy Spirit just showed us the opportunity:
- "Do you know that you don't have to do this alone? ..........
- "We are apart of a community that wants to help you. This community is committed to a relationship with Jesus...do you have a relationship with Jesus?........"
Finally, girls. Marry someone that you can do ministry with. Lee and I don't get to do ministry vocationally together but I was never more excited to be married to my husband as I was this weekend. He is a people person and just knew how to step in say the right things at the right time. It amazed me that if he didn't know how to respond, I did. If I didn't...He did. God put a team together. A team of two people that are very different but God continues to show us that we are supposed to be together. Its fun to be reminded of that 6 years in a marriage.
My challenge to you: Do something like this soon. Make it a priority. There are a lot of opportunities this time of year. I could list 1000 reasons why but just trust me on it, you will understand once you do it.
http://fbcbranson.com/totally-christmas-bash1
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