Praying with people you don’t know because of Jesus can lead you to unexpected ministry.
Corner Bakery. A local restaurant in our town. So after I started picking up food there, I met an employee named Olivia. Blue hair with a bun. I wrote about meeting her in an earlier devotional post.
So here’s an update. I pray with Olivia now every single time I stop by and she is there. And, I get a quick update on her life as well.
Olivia was recently promoted to assistant manager. So, I don’t feel as bad holding up the line praying with her. No worries. The employees have all gotten used to it.😀
Unbeknownst to me. Someone was watching. A lady working there named Gabby.
Now all of sudden. After Olivia and I pray and give one another a hug, Gabby comes around the cash register to see me. The first time she hugged me. I was caught off guard. Who is this?
Now when I go to pick up food there, Gabby comes and gives me a hug even when Olivia isn’t around. I’m thinking….,when she’s more comfortable, I’m going to pray with Gabby too.
We have this cup and we carry it with us wherever we go. Jesus fills this cup. When this cup overflows, with Jesus’ love for us, and we replenish it…….it’s going to self pour itself when we meet new people.
I don’t do anything special. I pray, hug, obtain an update on Olivia’s week and leave. Operative word quickly. Since there are customers behind me who’d like to give their orders.
But my interactions with Olivia made Gabby want the same thing.
We were created for community. To be cared for, loved over, prayed with, included in, and often, simply to just be recognized.
Beloved, is God carving out a place for you to love on people you don’t know well?
If you are a woman, another woman you cross paths with? If you are a man, another guy you run into every so often?
Share your cup with that person. Share Jesus. And watch how the Holy Spirit moves to open that person’s heart to be encouraged or seek Jesus through you. Through prayer. Through fellowship. Even in line in a restaurant.
When they see us. That the world wants what we have.
Live the Real Truth. That others will know the Real Truth. Jesus.