Nov. 7, 2006 - How He Works...and I'm in Awe of Him!
When the director here and I started meeting every week to pray and talk about things going on here, I never would have planned on this.
One of the things that came up was how, for years now, the food bank has operated every week on Saturdays for just a couple of hours, and it's always just been mass chaos. People came in, rushed through, got their boxes of food, and off they'd go. She mentioned that one case was really troubling; a woman had come in, and in the midst of all kinds of chaos and rushing around, mentioned she was having heart surgery "next week." The volunteers couldn't even stop and pray with her, and her information card was filed away w/o anyone remembering her name. This really bothered her. She felt like we ought to be trying to reach this woman in some way, but now we had no way to do that. 
I said, "Why do we have to rush people through each week? Are we in a hurry?" She asked if I had another idea, which I did, and the food bank underwent major reorganization over the course of the next two weeks. Now, people come into a welcome center for coffee and a light breakfast with a "hostess." They are then led into a counseling room (where the food storage used to be) and sit at a table with a counselor/prayer partner who can ask them how we can help them right now. Our hope is to be able to help them network in the county with others who might be able to help them with other things besides groceries; utilities, auto work, finding a job, daycare needs, clothing needs, etc.
Since they only come in once a month (at least that's the policy right now) our few minutes with them is crucial. Then, we send them out the door with some food and some hope. The volunteers then re-group at the end of the morning, and pray for each family that has come in.
Well this past week, when I was wondering if all the changes have really made much of a difference, God showed me what it's all about.
A woman named Marge (named changed to protect her privacy) came into the welcome center. She was quiet. She has three children in school, and a 19yod who has a small baby, living with her until she's able to "get things together." As I asked her how things were going for the family right now (she's a single mom) I kept hearing the Lord say "press a little harder." Now, this is tough...b/c we know that not everyone wants to share all their personal problems with us. They may come in just for the food, ya know? But, He was so persistent.
Finally, I said, "Marge...the Lord is really impressing me about this...is there something else we should be praying for you." At this, she became very somber, face ashened with despair, and she said, "I just found out I have cervical cancer...and next week they'll check my lymph glands to see if it's spreading." 
I literally felt the Lord push me toward her, as I grabbed her hand with both of mine, and moved my face closer and said to her, "Don't be afraid, Marge. God has not given us the spirit of fear and confusion...that's not from Him." She just nodded while I spoke softly to her and then I prayed for her.
When we stood up, I hugged her and said, "He loves you, Marge...and so do we" At this, she basically colapsed in my arms, and just heaved sobs upon my shoulder. She was so pitiful...and so scared...and I just wanted her to feel better.
After we shut down for the morning, I sat with the director and filled her in on all the details with Marge. And I couldn't help but think back to a couple of years ago, when I sat on the front porch of our farm and literally begged the Lord to show me why things were so bad for us right then. Why had my dh been unemployed for so long?
Why had we had to sell almost everything we had to buy groceries and pay utilities? Why had He not come to help us when we were in so much "pain?" And it dawned on me...
If we hadn't had so much hardship, we honestly never would have considered moving here...because we would have thought things were not "that bad." We would have muddled along and I never would have been able to help reorganize the food bank, and certainly wouldn't have been there to pray with Marge that morning. Who would have been there for her? And if all the heart ache of those hard times meant being here now to help her know how much Jesus loves her...then it was really all worth it, wasn't it?
I took some other necessity items to her this afternoon. She didn't let me come into the house, and I think she's a little overwhelmed that I'd care enough to drive 1/2 an hour to bring her bladder control pads (thanks to the cancer), but I can't help but think that God wants to "be Big" in her life...and I don't want to miss it.
I apologize if this sounds a bit meladramatic...I am just experiencing Him in a whole new way right now...and want y'all to know about it. 
BTW, a gal came in last week and mentioned that her mother had recently had surgery and would we pray for her. When we asked her about that, the gal told us it was the nameless woman that Lil had been praying for since she'd heard about her heart surgery. We got her name and phone number, and we can now follow up with her the way we wanted to.
Ain't He cool?? 
Comments
Nov. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by HappilyEverAfter
Praise the Lord!! He's working powerfully through you and I am so proud to call you my sister in Christ. So many people don't "press a little harder" when the Lord tells them too and look at the ministering opportunities that could be missed. Bless you for listening to the Lord and for obeying His prompting. As a breast cancer survivior I know what your prayers and genuine concern meant to Marge. Keep up the great work! The Lord is good!!
In Him,
Fran
Nov. 7, 2006 - How wonderful is that?
Posted by Kristina
I love hearing about amazing stories of how God works in the lives of His people! It gives me chill bumps just thinking of how He is working through you and your family.
