"You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a blanket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where is gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father." Matthew 5: 14-16Today, one of the most remarkable things happened to me; it is much too good to keep to myself.
I work at an Italian Ice shoppe near my home. Currently, I am the assistant manager, and pull 40 hour weeks on top of 20 credits at the community college - needless to say, customers are greeted by me nearly everyday of the week. This one gentleman, comes in every single night. Every evening, we exchange light conversation, talking about how our day was, and what we happened to be reading in our Bible.
In the short time that I've known him, I have gathered his life story. He has three kids, is a self-employed auto-mechanic, and LOVES serving God. I can count on this gentleman to always bring a new spin to everyday situations. We are always exchanging stories about ways God is continually blessing us - I shared with him my "Light as A Feather" story and he tells me about day he was saved. Today, instead of telling me about what person he was able to share his testimony with, he shared God's love in a matter of moments with someone completely unexpected...me.
...Rewinding a few months...I have been looking at purchasing a new Bible. This time, I wanted to do it right though, I wanted a hardback Study Bible. The particular one that I have been wanting to purchase was outside of my budget - so I was saving for it. Since late June of this year, I have been putting away a little bit of money every month to eventually hope to purchase this particular Bible. My reasoning was "Well, I have a perfectly good Bible at home, why in the world do I need to purchase a brand new Bible NOW...my personal one will just have to do..."
God had other plans...
Tonight, this particular gentleman, saunters in as he always does, purchases his Italian ice and proceeds to discuss his weekend with me. After a few minutes he leaves...and comes back 20 minutes later. In his hand, is a Books-A-Million bag, and inside the bag is the very same Bible I have been saving for. Not just any Bible, but the hardback one that I have been wanting to buy since late June.
Today, has been a particularly difficult day. I had to face some difficult choices that other people have made and impact the work I do. Today though, God wanted me to know that He hears my prayers, and wants me to serve Him more. My prayer was that if this Bible was the one God would have for me, that I would have a means in which to purchase it. Unknown to me, this gentleman, was lead by God to bless me in a way that I cannot even put into words.
Before leaving, this man says:
"Every single day I come in here, and look forward to hearing about the ways that God is continually blessing you. I feel as though God is just using you to speak to my heart, to keep His Love alive in my life, to renew my spirit every day. Jamie, I come in here, because every time I have the opportunity to talk to you, I get a little piece of God."
Though I was humbled by this gentleman's words, I was touched by his actions. And even more blessed because he had no idea that this was the very same Bible that I have been saving for.
I have typed this in a hurry, as I am so incredibly excited to share with you the humbling experience that God exposed me to today. Though I have not posted since August, it is my hope to continually share my journey with you as I continue to Chase the Cross. I intend to continue sharing how God reflects in my life - both on the running trails, and off.
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
