I like to think that my heart is open to whatever God needs me to do.
To back up a little bit. One day at the beginning of this school year, I was driving home. I happened to pass a woman I know that was walking her dog. It was raining and I had a spare umbrella. I did what came naturally. I parked my car and walked up to her to offer the spare umbrella. She looked a bit surprised and confused by my presence, and then she refused my umbrella offer. We did stand and talk for a few minutes to catch up and then I went on my way. I left the experience feeling a bit embarrassed. Then, I ran into her last week and she came up to me to say that she had been meaning to tell me how much of an impact on her that little meeting meant to her. She went on to say that she had a lot going on in her life and she was deep in thought and then I showed up. She said, my presence reminded her that God is always there. God used me.
Today I was in the car driving with my family. I noticed an unleashed dog and then a boy and his mom approaching it. The dog had the look in his face like he wasn't going to be an easy catch and as we drove by, I saw him run across the street and then the owners ran after him. I knew I had to stop to help. I pulled around the block and parked my car. I got out and walked towards the side walk. He was running right to me. The boy yelled to me "Can you grab my dog?!" I let out a whistle and he came right to me. I grabbed his collar and praised him for coming to me. The boy and his mom caught up, breathless and shaken. God placed me in that moment to help.
At church tonight, we were walking out. Two girls approached my husband. He sent me and the kids to the car. He stayed with them for a few minutes and then walked to the church with them. When he got in the car, he informed me that one of the girls had run away from her home a few days ago. They were 30 miles from home and they had no place to go. She was scared and didn't know what to do. He said he knew someone that could help, and then he brought them into the church and introduced them to our Pastor. I went in to check on the situation and to see if there was anything else we could do to help. We offered to drive them home. The church is such a great place to bring someone that is feeling lost, they are trained to handle these exact situations and I was honored to see that training unfold.
I love nothing more than to help others. God takes regular every day people like you and me and He uses us. I truly feel if your heart is open to this mission, He will place you in the right place at the right time. Ask Him what you can do to serve Him. He will guide you through His work.
