HE never ceases to amaze me...

How amazing is God!?  Another day in the office. It starts out pretty much the same as all Friday mornings do. Rush to get my bulletin info in (which I should have done two days prior) and finalize the worship set with the sermon scriptures. Oh yes, and listen to our benevolence folks hand out food to the incoming needy (and some greedy).

So when we received a call regarding a meal and the need for transportation, I think nothing of it... until it's directed toward me. I answer the phone and listen to this man introduce himself and explain his situation. This man (we'll call him "John") had just been released from prison, and needed a ride to McKinney where his brother was to pick him up the next day.

Now, in a sad way, it seems as if I've been trained to ignore requests like this. But by God's divine power, rather than even contacting our elders to solicit the church funds, I agree to pick him up. (By the way, John is homeless and has not a cent to his name.)

When I arrive at the local motel to pick John up, I walk in and standing before me is this 6'10 monster of a man holding only a duffle bag. We introduce ourselves and begin our trek down the rainy lanes of highway 75. This is when it begins to get good.

Among our conversations, we discuss family, work, church, education and the such. This is when I find out that this man is my brother! 6'10 John was baptized into Christ by Willie Franklin (UNT campus minister) many years ago. Along with that, this man is a 1975 alumni of ACU! Turns out, we have a lot in common, which was kind of scary.

So why am I excited about this? One simple reason... I didn't judge him before I picked him up. I didn't roll my eyes, I didn't let out an exasperating sigh knowing I would be out money. God (possibly literally) took full control of me and reached out to a homeless man... after the telephone call had been answered, passed to the benevolence minister, then passed to me. Praise God for His presence in this world!

I hope I see him again. On the road, we talked about everything from churches and preachers in Abilene to how by God's grace he had been given a second chance. I don't say this often, but I honest to goodness believe I witnessed the Holy Spirit in him. He never asked for money, he never asked for a hand out, but just love from his brothers. What an encouraging day. Thank you Father.

Btw, sorry Abigail for not getting your lunch to you on time. Now you know why :)