It was story day at the library, and my kids and I were there enjoying our weekly routine. After we sang songs and listened to the lively storytelling, I did my normal storybook search. The storybook search is when I peruse the shelves for books that my kids will enjoy reading later while they play happily with toys and with the other children also at story time.
This particular day they were playing with two other children who were siblings and just their ages. I had seen these kids before, but today their mom, whom I had never met, was with them. The mom and I casually talked about our children and their favorite toys; it was a pleasant conversation. Finally, the time came for me to round up the children and our large pile of books.
I was beginning to head to the checkout when I “heard” some clear instructions from God. The very brief instructions were specific: I was to invite this mom and her children to my home. I was a little surprised, but I thought, “Oh…OK.” So I stopped, turned around, and headed back to the woman. By the time I got to her, I was convinced of what I needed to do. I extended the invitation to the mom, and with no surprise to me, she accepted.
A few days later that mom and I got together at my home with our kids, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today that woman is a wonderful friend and Advanced Class graduate who is enjoying the blessing of knowing and living God’s Word. During the process of undershepherding my friend, I had lots of opportunities to apply and teach the Word that I had learned and was learning from ministry classes and fellowship. I am especially thankful though for what I had been taught about the nine manifestations of holy spirit from The Way of Abundance and Power series. Being knowledgeable about the power available to me because of the holy spirit I have inside was key to my boldness to follow through on God’s instructions.
Often my heart has been full of thanks to God for His love in this situation. God’s care for one individual and what He is willing to do to help us reconcile men and women to Him is heartwarming. God clearly lays out in His Word what our role and abilities are in Christ, and I am thankful that I can make situations such as this my normal expectation.
Acts 1:8:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost [holy spirit] is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.