The blessings of waiting in line
I think this is going to become a series. Last night Redeemed and I decided to have dinner at a family diner in our neighbourhood. Normally we don't eat out on Friday nights, but it was hot, AWANA season was over, and we were not in a rush to go home. So we got there only to find out that the place was packed and there was a long line-up as we waited in line for a table to free up. The hostess suggested that there was room in the smokers section, but no one wanted to sit there. That was when the people in line started chatting about smoking in public places and the need to ban it from restaurants. True, effective 1 January 2006 the law will take effect in Quebec, but some restaurant administration have taken the lead and have started applying the law as of now. (Obviously it was not the case here). However here's the good thing that came out of this. When Redeemed and I were finally escorted to a booth which seats four people, we invited the couple behind us and with whom we were chatting to sit with with us. They were only very happy to do so. It turned out to be a wonderful evening. We spent around three hours at the dinner table. It was a great conversation. The Lord opened the door for us. I gave my testimony how I got saved. The man, a retired policeman, said that he believes he had been saved. He used to go to a Pentecostal church but it has been a while since he has been in church. As it turned out, he is now working as security at a seniors residence and by coincidence we found out my favourite pastor and his wife have moved there not long ago. A very Godly couple. The man was excited and promised to tell the pastor that he met us. By the time the evening was over, they each had a tract in their hand. We exchanged phone numbers and they promised that we would hear from them again. Isn't that wonderful. I thought it was a blessing how the Lord led us there last night. I am sure my former Pastor will seize this opportunity and I see God at work giving this man another opportunity to see the love of Christ.
I am reminded of the hymn "Bringing in the sheaves". We sang it on Wednesday night in church, and it opens like this "Sowing in the morning, Sowing in Evening,...... ). Isn't that cute, sowing on the train in the morning, and sowing in a restaurant in the evening. Today we go tract passing at noon, so the hymn comes full circle, sowing in the morning, sowing in the evening, sowing in noon tide and the dewy eve. Waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping, we shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves.
It's a blessing to read your posts. I guess my next one would be "The blessings of reading God's story on others' blogs." :)
The reason I mentioned the above was that I thought about this Chinese lady. What's her name? I assume she's not a believer, just like how I was. Now I really believe it is not a coincidence that she's staying in the church, but to fulfill God's purpose in her life. His timing is perfect! I pray that she will see the beauty of the Body of Christ and come to her personal Saviour.
By the way, I am not an artist. If there's any artistic talent in me, it is God-given. I love to take pictures with my digital camera. Some people take pictures for fun, others for money, as for me, I just want to glorify God :)