I just came home from a gathering with some really precious Christians that live around my area here in Alief/Houston area. Then, after getting home, I read an entry from a dear sister's blog, which eventually led me to write this post... She says...
http://www.simplykatherine.com/2011/08/christians-on-campus-part-8.html
"Recently, I was listening to a fellowship given by an older brother in the Lord (he's associated with Christians on Campus). He said that actually all throughout our life, God always has His hand over us to cover us, to protect us. I didn't really understand at first the magnitude of this statement. Now as I dwell more in this thought, my whole heart is burning with thanksgiving, love, and humbleness."
Let me explain why this day is special to me...
1. It was a hard day at work today, it's the last day of training so we are getting everything ready. By next week, the real deal happens. At first, I had some hesitation towards my co-worker that works with me in the same room. But as we were talking, it is unraveled that she is a believer. //This is an o p e n i n g.// I asked her if she wanted to have "morning revival", or "devotional" together. She replied that, throughout all last year, God was telling her to ask her co-workers for a "prayer walk" as she mentioned. I am not really sure what that is... but, this is an o p e n i n g. Lord... what about fellowship with my co-worker? Lord, build and mingle Your Body together. There is a budding in our relationship Lord, You are sovereign.
2. Secondly, on the way back home, my gas in my car is running empty and the "gas is running low" light started blinking so I got kinda worried that my gas would run out on the freeway, since it's a 30-40 minute drive back. I was worried because, I know I didn't have cash with me && my debit card doesn't work. So, how do I buy gas without money? So... maybe I drove 60% of the way, praying, praying... then, I just could not take it anymore. I did not want to risk it. I got off an exit-- there was a Shell right off the exit. I searched for some cash in my purse and find 22 cents. "Okay Lord, here it goes...", I said. I went into the gas station...
"Can you do me a favor?" I asked the cashier... (I explained to him my situation... it took maybe 20-30 seconds). "But I only have 21 cents (I dropped the 1 cent in the car)..."
Easily and fast, he replies, "Sure, I will put some gas in there for you."
"Thank you!" Then I forgot to tell him I was on number 2 and told him that it was 2. I went to my car and started pumping. I was expecting that he'd give me 21 cents... but I was surprised, the pump didn't stop...$1.00... $2.00...$4.00... it still didn't stop. I stopped it at $4.98. But I could have kept going... and I never knew what limit he gave me. Wow!
I was just so surprised that someone was nice enough to give me free gas! The whole time driving, I was praying for that cashier. Lord, don't let me forget, I think this coming Monday I will go back again to pay him and thank him. Thank You Lord that you can even take care of us through other people.
3. Then, the highlight of my day... a home gathering at a Christian's home with some precious Christians in Alief. They are so young (although in age, they may not be so young). But, I feel like they are even younger than me. We were on the table and as we were fellowshipping, they were talking about their childhoods and about how this sister's mother used to curl her daughter's hair using the old-fashioned curlers that you have to heat up in the stove. What she was talking about was just ordinary but for some reason, it fed me spiritually. The way she described the meticulous process her and her mother went through to straighten her afro or sometimes, turn the straightened hair into beautiful curls. These believers have a good deposit of Christ in them and, we were fellowshipping about... praying and reading being one. When we read the Word, we need to pray it & when we pray, we need to read the Word. It's reading the Word with our spirit mingled with the Spirit & or praying with our mingled sSpirit then reading the Word. It's like walking with two feet. Sometimes we step first with our left then right, or right then left, but eventually the two feet go together side by side. The ministry says that, enjoying God requires the Spirit and the Word, the pillar of cloud (the Spirit for the day) and the pillar of fire (the Word for the night). (Psalm 119:105 \\ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path\\ ).
And, what really impressed me in this home gathering is that... we were fed, we were just enjoying the Lord. Before we read the material, a brother in Christ said, that it is not that we want to finish reading the assigned ministry for that night but that, if there's a point that was amazing to one member, that we would stop and say, "Wait, sister, before you start reading..." or "I was impressed, I was amazed, I enjoyed..." Even if the fellowship takes 15 minutes, because, we want to honor the Lord and His leading in our fellowship. Our goal is not to get through the piece of "ministry" but that when we stop and wait on the Lord for His fellowship through each others' enjoyment and fellowship, we get fed with God Himself, tasty food, the real ministry. We were feasting and eating... yumm yumm! I was a little hesitant to share what I enjoyed, because I guess I was a little shy. But I hope, next time the Lord would empower me to just share, for the Body's sake, that others would get fed by my sharing as I am fed by the other members' sharing.
4. Another awesome thing that impressed me is that... when these sisters were conversing over the table, majority of the time, maybe 95% of the time, I did not hear anything negative when they talk about their daily living, their work, their children, family, jobs, grandchildren. Mostly positive. Do I hear eagles soaring in the air? I was reminded of the verse in Isaiah (40:31) // Yet those who wait on Jehovah will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and will not faint; They will walk and will not become weary. // Lord, bring us into this realm. Lord, let us wait on You and renew our strength & we will mount up with wings like eagles! Whatever negative matters, forces, circumstances of death or sin the world brings them, it seems that they have a Way to overcome. When we are in Christ, there is no condemnation. When we are in a certain Realm or Person, we soar up like eagles! We hover over the earthly things, just like that. On one hand, situationally we are on the earth and physically participate in the earthly things, but on the other hand, we soar above the earthly things! Lord, how we love to be in this realm! Lord... bring us INTO this realm! I enjoyed that, when we are fed with God, everything is straight. Everything is just a-OK! Like...we are sober-minded and full... Like... WHOA, my head is now aligned. Like we are in the highest potential of our human existence. I am a complete person, a complete human being when I am in God, fed with God and absorb God.
So, now you know why this day is special to me. I think I just got fed... by and with God Himself. Praise the Lord! I asked if I can join them again next Friday... of course, they said... (what do you think?) :D
