Anyway, I got to church early and met some of the youth there. It was graduation Sunday so the graduating high school seniors were very involved in the service, including one of the girls giving the sermon. Really great kids! It brought back memories of high school graduation for me . . . which was 5 years ago!! Wow, that makes me feel old!!
After the service, the church provided a delicious lunch for us (as they always do, such a great ministry!) and I got to catch up with my good friend Chris (in the picture with me). Chris has been such a blessing to me. He welcomed me the first day I went to Grace church and we've been great friends ever since! We even went for a bike ride together a few weeks ago and he told me all about Galveston. Another added bonus: He's a UNL alumni and Husker fan!!
While I was walking home afterward, a woman called out to me and chased me down. She wanted money for some food. I offered to walk to KFC (that's what she wanted) with her and she agreed. What she wanted was more than just food though, she wanted money so she could play the slot machines. I learned that she was single, 38 years old, a high school dropout and jobless. This was a woman who needed more than just a meal, more than I could give her in the brief time I was going to be with her. I so badly wanted to fix everything, give her a job and show her that gambling was not going to solve her problems . . . but I couldn't. What I did give her was a meal and some words of encouragement. I told her that I believed God had us cross paths for a reason and asked her if she had anything she wanted to tell me or that I could help her with. The words that came out of her mouth were simple but so powerful: "Thank you". That's all she wanted to tell me. Did I fix all her problems? Not even close. In fact, I think she took her meal and went over to the place where she played the slots. I came to realize that it wasn't about me solving her problems. The fact is, I can't do that. That is between her and God. But I had an amazing feeling of purpose after that. I believe that is our purpose here on earth: to love one another . . . not fix what we think are others problems. I think showing her that I cared enough to buy her some food and talk to her was all I could do. I really hope she changes her ways and finds direction in her life, but that is in God's hands. God's two primary commandments are: Love God with everything you've got and love your neighbor as yourself. I think that sums up our purpose in life, whether we are in California, Texas, Bolivia, or any part of the world. People just need to be loved!!
I don't know how much of an impact I made on that woman (I invited her to come to church next Sunday but I don't know whether she will come or not), but I know she made a huge impact on me. She helped to remind me of why we're here and for that I'm so thankful!
great story and lesson--I hope this woman surprises you at church at some point. If not, perhaps she will find another way to God.
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