Have you ever had it where someone or something or some place just comes to your mind out of the blue? I often experience this in my walk with God and I have learned that usually there is a reason. Such was the case one Wednesday in late June when I was biking home from a noon worship time when I suddenly thought of a fast food restaurant I hadn’t been to in a little while. I can’t say I really prayed into it more or received anything else from God—Nor was I completely sure it even was God. Was I just hungry? I didn’t really put much thought to it, I just decided to go eat and see what happened. If nothing else, the food sounded good!
I ordered my food. I appreciated the young man who was taking my order, as he was both professional as well as warm and confident. As I sat down to eat, I recalled how an hour before, the Holy Spirit had just highlighted someone at the prayer time I had just attended. I had gone over and talked to that guy whom I didn’t know at all and sensed the Holy Spirit in our conversation. He had shared some of his life with me and was interested in my podcast. We talked about connecting again at future prayer times. Now as I ate an hour later, I asked the Lord what He was doing here in this restaurant. I began to get a few words coming to my Spirit for the man who had taken my order. I will share one of the words here as it related to Him being someone who’d be a good supervisor and that people would like working for/under his leadership. (I do not believe he is a supervisor currently). Was this “word” just my observation, or was it really God speaking? It came to me with peace and through that mental impression that God has often given me over the years. I’ve learned to go with it and offer it to the person gently.
After finishing my meal, I went back up to the counter and called him over. I shared that sometimes God puts things on my heart to share with people and that I wanted to offer something that came to me for him. He really seemed blessed as I shared and I could tell the words were received and seemed to speak deeply to him! I didn’t linger long as another customer came in the door, but he made a point to thank me and said “God bless” as I left with a big smile! I told him I’d see him again.
Fast forward ahead a few days…Candy and I were leading a local training and outreach time on a Saturday. It had been rainy weather and we had a very small group that day and just one other person planned to go out for the outreach portion with us. As I taught, I mentioned this story from a few days before from the fast food restaurant. This other individual shared later that she had also had that fast food restaurant on her mind that morning before she came! So that is where we went back to start outreach that day!
While the worker that I had ministered to a few days later wasn’t working that day, we had several other opportunities to minister to people. Some orders were messed up and the staff was having a rough day. (I had the thought that maybe the guy I had ministered to needed to be here helping supervise)! Rather than react in offense and impatience with the struggles, we extended grace to the staff and bringing God’s peace into the chaos. Before going out, Candy and I had both received guidance about someone with a hand or arm injury. One of the workers had a cast on her hand and before we left we offered to pray for her. She shared how she had no idea really about prayer and or what do and we told her she didn’t need to do anything but we’d just pray for 30 seconds. She was very blessed and it seemed that all the stress from the rough day was dissolved.
Prior to that encounter, we were also able to minster to a couple that sat nearby us. Candy did a great job getting to know them and finding common ground relating to schooling children and sharing little bits of testimony that related. Before they left, we prayed for their upcoming travels and I had the thought to ask the woman if she had knee pain. She said she didn’t, but was amazed that I asked as her husband had just had knee surgery!
I also was able to minister to another worker who was on break eating his lunch. I actually told him the story of how I had ministered to his co-worker a few days prior and how sometimes God puts things on my heart to speak to people. I then shared some things for him and he was greatly blessed! He was a professing believer and I had my 3 circles gospel shirt on and shared it with him which really encouraged him! He also witnessed us praying for the others including his co-worker and thanked us so much as we left, saying something like, “I look forward to seeing you come in here again!”
As I reflect on these stories, I can see how one testimony leads to another and another. Stepping out in faith with the Lord can create a domino effect which is pretty cool. I pray this young Christian in this restaurant will be encouraged to step out in faith to minister to others even as He saw us model. As you read this story, may the Lord guide you as well to step out in the coming days so more can happen—all for His glory, honor and praise. And remember, pay attention to what comes to mind. God just might be in it. Bless you!
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