Even when you have a busy schedule or are feeling worn out, you never know what God has planned for you in that moment. Fiona shares how God reminded her of this.
“You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to Him, that you will keep His decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to Him.” (Deuteronomy 26:17)
The other day I had a doctor’s appointment. . . again. I wasn’t very happy about having to go as I get so tired of doctor’s appointments. As I walked in the front door of the doctor’s office, I noticed an elderly lady sitting in a wheelchair. She seemed to be waiting for someone. Not thinking much of it, I went in and saw the doctor. As I was leaving, I noticed she was still sitting in her wheelchair.
Being in a hurry, the last thing I wanted to do was start a conversation with a stranger, but the Lord wouldn’t let me just walk by. I said hello and inquired if she needed any help. She told me that she’d been waiting for over an hour for her ride home. I felt strongly to offer her a ride home, even though she lived clear across town in an area that I was not familiar with.
She quickly agreed to my offer and I could see immediately that she was greatly relieved. I was wondering how I was going to fit this into my already busy day.
You never know what God has planned. As I drove her home, she started telling me about her many health issues and that she had been sitting there praying that God would help her because she was starting to get very anxious about being left at the doctor’s office.
We shared about the Lord and how He helps us both deal with our worries and how He is our great encourager and provider. By the time I dropped her off at her house I felt the best I had all day. As she went towards the front door she was smiling, and I could tell that she was happy, knowing that God had heard and answered her prayer.
I was so glad I had listened to the voice of God and had stopped to talk to a total stranger, even though I felt I didn’t have the time. I will probably never see her again, but I believe I made a new friend that day.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to be so caught up in my daily activities that I am not sensitive to what You want me to do. Help me to recognize when You are asking me to do something to help out someone in need. Amen.
About the author:
Fiona Burky is a retired Licensed Clinical Counselor who lives in Ohio. It is only by God’s grace and strength, that she has been able to endure her multiple health issues. You may view her blog at: http://fionab-growingbeyondyourpainfulpast.blogspot.com
How well do you listen to the voice of God? Do you let the busyness of the day overtake you so much that you cannot hear His guidance? How can you slow down and hear God?
While you never know what God has planned, you can always be assured He has a purpose for you and loves you unconditionally. Take a moment to rest in who God is with Cinipointe Live as they sing, “You Are God.”
Fiona,
What a wonderful post! This really made me smile. It is beautiful to see how God works in our lives when we will listen to His voice and also ask Him for what we need. This post exemplifies this so well. You were listening to God asking you to pay attention to the lady in the wheelchair, and she was asking God to provide help for her in her hour of need. Awesome! The selfless help that you provided to the lady, no doubt, renewed her faith in others, and probably strengthened her resolve to rely on God for her needs. I can imagine the good feelings that you had in obeying God’s voice. If all of us lived this way, what a better world it would be! God bless you!
Melissa
Fiona – what a great experience you share.
How uplifting for both you and the woman you helped – a gift from God to both of you during the course of going about your day.
Hugs -
Lynn
Thanks for sharing this experience with us Fiona. I find it so easy to focus on MY plans that I can easily miss an opportunity to allow God to use me in an unexpected way.
I prayed your prayer very sincerely. After all, what’s more important? Checking off my “To Do” list or obeying God when He tells me to do something else. I know this in my head, but need this wisdom to really settle in my heart.
God bless you, Fiona.
Fiona, thanks for your wonderful devotion. I had a wonderful sense of the Lord smiling at the point of connection between the two of you when I read this. Answered prayer from a fellow sister in Christ & obedience creating a message for many on RM through your devotion. What gifts!! Thank you for blessing me with this message of from your day. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Hi Fiona, I have to tell you that this was exactly what I needed to see. Yest. had to help a friend who also is struggles w chronnic illness. She is a sweet testimony to keep going even when your body does’nt
cooperate.I must say however there are times( i’m ashamed to say) I dont want to be helpful. Esp. when my pain is great, as it was yest. I read your post after I had driven her around town doing those errands she can’t do herself as she no longer can drive. ( she is only 45) So god used your sweet post to gently remind me that He uses us, esp. we feel poorly, And my attitude should be one of joy that he chooses to do so. I realize that I need to be willing at all times to be used by Him. Thank you for alowing god to use you also. God bless, diane
Thank you all so much for those kind comments. I have to admit that when I first felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to stop and talk to her I wanted to push it off as I had MY stuff I needed to do. However, God was not going to let me off that easy. I knew I couldn’t walk past her without saying something, the prompting of the Lord was that strong (God sometimes has to hit me on the head with a hammer to get my attention). In the end, I was so very glad I listened and helped her. I could tell she was greatly relieved and later on I thought about how I would have felt if I had been in her place, wondering what was going to happen to me. Then, God to the rescue. Using a total stranger. It definitely has helped me to be more aware of others around me and how God could use me even when I least expect it. It really ministered to me that day, too!