Have you ever felt impressed to say something to a total stranger---words that you feel God is wanting you to speak? I believe this is God's Holy Spirit wanting us to speak words to others that will encourage them, comfort them or lift them up--or have you wanted to ask others if you can pray for them? In the past when this has happened to me, I usually responded this way--"What if I don't say it right, what if they think I'm crazy, what if this isn't really from the Lord, what if I mess it up, so I better not do anything at all. I have just "what if'd" my way out of doing what I knew God wanted me to do.
About a year ago, when I was praying, out of the blue I heard the words "Let Me Loose In Your Life!" At first I wondered what that meant, but then I knew exactly what it meant. I began to see a dog on a chain--the dog only went where I wanted it to go, only did what I allowed it to, and I had complete control of the dog. It is like with God--I was keeping Him on a chain--just doing or saying what I wanted to do or say without being obedient to the leading of His Holy Spirit." I knew it was "fear"--fear of what other people might think--fear of failure--fear of missing God or messing up what God wanted me to say or do. I believe we can turn all our "what if's" into "What if it is exactly what the Lord wants me to say and do--what if this is exactly what the person needs--what if I pray and something happens---what if this is God directing me? I know something always happens when we pray for someone---hearts are touched--needs are met. When I have asked someone to pray for them, no one has ever said no, but the opposite--they are so thankful for the prayer. Many times, this will happen in the grocery store, Wal Mart, post office, convenience stores--anywhere where people are. Every day, you and I bump into many people who need a touch from the Lord. Since you and I are all God has to use here on earth, it is up to us to speak for Him. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of what God is doing in the lives and hearts of
the people who cross our path every day.
One of the first times this happened to me, I was at a conveniene store. There was a pickup by me with a young man feeding a banana to a little girl about a year old. Another little girl was also in the pickup. I knew the Lord wanted me to say something to him but not exactly sure what to say. I went into the store and looked out the window at the man. I did the usual excuses---what if he thinks I'm nuts, I don't know him, etc. etc. But I was so convicted to speak to him that I told the Lord I would do it. I went to the pickup and when he rolled his window down, I told him he did not know me but I wanted him to know the his daughters were so blessed to have him as a father. I told him some other things too that I don't remember and went to my car. I then heard a still, small voice saying "Was that so hard?" Pretty sure it was my Father.
There are people every day that we bump into that are in desperate need of a touch from the Lord. Sometimes it is a smile, a kind act, an encouraging word, a prayer offered them---it is whatever God puts on our hearts. Why not today, just "do it" and let God loose in your life. Not only will the person be blessed, but you also will be blessed too!
Blessings!!!
Carolyn
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