Earlier this week I had won TWO gift cards for Chipotle. I wanted to use my gift cards to take my roommates out to dinner and then use the rest to buy someone lunch. Every time I tried to plan a roommate lunch or dinner our schedules never worked out. So I just kept my gift card in my purse until I could use it.
Saturday (yesterday) I worked two shifts at the YMCA. I had planned to grab dinner at Chipotle before my second shift, but I didn't have enough time. So I decided to wait till after work. I was bummed that I still hadn't used my gift cards yet but I knew God would give me an opportunity to bless someone, I just had to patiently wait.
After work (around 9 PM) I was finally able to go to Chipotle. However, I didn't get out of my car right away, which I am glad I didn't because then I wouldn't have walked inside and got in line at the right time. When I went inside a lady walked in behind me. I noticed her running pants and the race bib on her shirt. (NOTE: I am NOT the one who so easily walks up to strangers and starts a long conversation. My conversations are more like two-lined diaglogue and that's it. So what is about to happen is definitely not me but the power of the Holy Spirit in me!)
We started talking about the race she did that night at Lone Star. And then we started talking about where she grew up in Texas, where she is now, and that she is a teacher! Questions that I didn't know how to ask strangers just came out so naturally as if I wasn't the one speaking. I was simply asking because I wanted to know this stranger.
We kept talking as the line moved up all the way to where I had to start ordering. I had carried a conversation for all that time! Again, this is not me naturally! As I went through the order line God put it on my heart to pay for her order with my gift card.
When she reached the cashier, I had already paid for her food. Usually when I buy someone food it's in a drive-thru when I could just drive off and not talk to them. So this was definitely out of my comfort zone because I feel awkward accepting a thank you after I do something for someone (I don't know why, I just do). After she found out what I did she turned to me stunned that a college student would do that. I told her that God blessed me so I could bless somebody else. We continued talking as we walked over to get utensils and napkins and she started asking me questions about myself and where I was studying to be a teacher. She encouraged me that I will be a great teacher. :) I asked for her name and she told me more about her family, and before we parted ways I did something out of the norm. Something TOO CRAZY for me to do in PUBLIC.
I asked if I could pray for her. (WHAT?!)
When those words left my mouth I knew this was not my doing. It HAD to be the Holy Spirit giving me the words, especially when I prayed. I don't remember all that I said but when I said "amen" she was crying and she thanked me. And then I did something else out of the norm for me.
I HUGGED her.
I am not a touchy-feely person, but God has been breaking me of that working with kids and living with roommates who are.
What is God doing to me?! He's making me become a compassionate, touchy, bold, and confident person! And you know what? I don't regret it! If I never lived outside of my comfort zone I would never depend on God for anything. Last night the devil was not around because I never had fear. The enemy was crushed under God's power and it was AMAZING! His power is freely given to me and very few often do I ever use it! This was my reason to have COURAGE in 2015. This is why I can be courageous. Because when God is with me who can ever hurt me? No one! God gives me courage to love people without fear. And not just the easy people to love who love me back, but to love the people who won't return their love. Just like how Jesus chose to die for those who hurt him. That's the kind of love I strive to know and be. That's the love God is showing me to show to others. That's the unconditional, agape love that this world is missing.
I am no expert on love, but I serve a God who is the creator of that love. And it is only through Him that I can love at all.
All the glory to my God and Father!
Love in Christ,
Molly Rae
"We love because He first loved us."
-1 John 4:19
"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15 NASB)
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