Last year, my family and I decided to start taking family vacations. Kailey my younger daughter, found this pretty neat condo that we have stayed in these last two years. The condo is a 3 bedroom, nicely furnished, fully equipped kitchen, pool/hot tub and sits right on the beach!
This year, I wanted to spend time hearing from the Lord, just sitting at His feet. One morning my husband and I got up early to watch the sunrise. It was peaceful and beyond beautiful and some amazing things happened.
Considering Others
We met a man that morning, and we talked with him about the Lord for almost 4 hrs! I think of this beautiful verse:
Hebrews 13:2 reads, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
I love this reminder! I have it hidden in my heart. My husband and I usually lead when we talk to people we do not know but, this time we just listened. It wasn’t until the last hour of conversing that we could see how the Holy Spirit was leading us into such a sweet fellowship. We shared bible verses, with this stranger, we laughed and learned so much. I know God was glorified the whole time. I believe this man was seeking the Lord whole heartily! His name was David and I hope I will remember him in my prayers. Here are a few things we were reminded of and that we learned from meeting him:
- Love, by sharing the word persistently, even if it takes 20 years
- Be only a vessel for the Lord
- Continue to pray for those strangers
- Show no partiality
Another Divine Appointment
Shortly after speaking with this man, and as we were sitting, watching the girls play in the sand from afar, we seen another man and his daughter. I asked Chris if we could go talk to this man. His little girl was playing with ours two girls. I said to Chris, “Maybe he’s lonely?” Sure enough we went down to the area where they were and we talked with him. We learned that he had just lost his mother, he was very depressed, and oh how he loved his little girl. He had no family, he lived in Vegas and traveled to Houston as much as he could, to see his little girl, 15 days at a time whenever he could. He was very lonely.
We got to pray for and with him there on the beach. We talked all night about God’s faithfulness! Without a doubt God was in the midst. I will never forget how God graciously used us in such a mighty way to love on this man who was empty and hurting. My heart aches remembering all the things he told us. By the grace of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit who is so faithful in helping us to remember Gods holy word, we encouraged him with this verse:
Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
This will be our prayer when we think of Ricardo and Anieh.
So many times we can pass up these wonderful opportunities because of the busyness of life. My encouragement to you is that you would remember to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. You never know what someone is going through. Take time and listen to others every chance you get. Take vacations with your family but spend time allowing Him to use you. Use your eyes, ears and gifts. To God be the glory forever and ever!
Love,
Mary
