I looked at the GPS mapping system to clarify for my next turn on my journey to my next appointment. I travel across Indiana meeting pastors and coordinating opportunities in Foster Care. I am in and out of small towns that are scattered all over rural Indiana.
It seems that in my last three ministry roles I have traveled extensively. I was expected to meet new people everyday. My roles often took me to places I had never been before. I often networked with community and ministry leaders.
There are so many ma-and-pa shops that sell cheap coffee and cinnamon rolls. I have eaten all the wrong things but they were so good. Homemade foods made from recipes that likely date back generations. I have asked, what is in this as I eat tasty foods. I always get the sane reply, "Family recipe...secret sauce...my grandmother’s recipe!"
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| Located at 114 N. Wayne Street, Warren. https://www.facebook.com/sonrisebakery/ |
Son-Rise Bakery is locally owned.
No this is not a travel log article promoting local hubs and restaurants but I have to endorse today’s experience on one of my trips. This journey was close to home in neighboring Warren, Indiana.
Along the way I try to enjoy the journey. I cannot tell you how many small Café shops and restaurants I use to meet pastors. These become mobile offices. I use them to catch up on meeting notes, follow up communications, and placing my business cards on bulliten boards.
Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.Everyday I pray before I head out that God would provide me with a divine interruption. This is a time when I trust God for a special, unexpected connection that gives me the opportunity to share my faith with someone, bringing God glory. It has happened often. I always find myself chatting with waitresses and business owners. I ask people often how I can pray for them.
Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Prayer is a doorway to eternity. It is a way to unlock hope and invite God’s Spirit to join the natural realm, bringing even a non-believer into things that last forever. It is the on-ramp to spiritual highways in Christian experiences. When we invite people to join us in prayer something happens through intercession.
I have seen the impact of praying for people. The unexpected happens. God, through the Holy Spirit join us! People have shared their deepest secrets. People have confessed their deepest wounds. People have laughed with joy and cried because of the heavy load they carried.
Once I asked a waitress how I could pray for her. The woman said, "Are you serious? Scoot over!" She slid into my booth and shared with detail what she was dealing with. She cried and laughed with joy as we prayed for hope and healing. I felt like we were in the restoration process of deep wounded ness.
Along the way, enjoy the journey. I make everyday as a special journey to make a difference in others and for others. I enjoy speaking with pastors who are often lonely and discouraged. I enjoy meeting people of all backgrounds and discovering how God can impact their lives, often through prayer. I make sure that my journey includes making cold calls on people I have never met prior. I try to end every one-on-one encounter and conversation with a word of encouragement.
I wonder what the Lord would do if we took time to ask Him for divine interruptions in our journeys? I have to wonder how our journey would be filled with anticipation as we find interruptions that turnout to be divinely ordered by God. I have to think that we may even be on the lookout for such great spiritual encounters that bring God glory!
