Everyday Miracle

It's hard to find the right way to communicate to others how I feel and what's going on in my life. My words tumble out in a jumbled, hodge-podge fashion. But God knows in even more detail than I do, and doesn't even need me to speak perfectly precise and clear sentences for Him to understand.

Last night was one of those moments that God knew just what I needed, even when I didn't. He coordinated all the ins-and-outs to make a blessed moment happen.

The story goes like this:

After work, I somewhat randomly decided to study downtown. As I sat on a bench just outside the center circle of Main Street, a group of Christian guys and a girl came up and asked if I had a moment and they could pray for me. I cheerfully said yes! And requested they pray for me to be an encouragement to others, even when I'm stressed with school and my tendency is to become inwardly-focused The Lord gave them just the right words to sweetly lift my spirits and truthfully challenge me. When they heard I am a student, one of them reminded me to keep my precious, intimate time with the Lord as a priority over homework deadlines. Like clockwork, God had that reminder come on a day that I had pushed aside my quiet time. The fellow believer advised me to let every burden I felt to stay where it belongs: at the foot of the cross. Much of my anxiety is caused by my attempt to solve everyone else's concerns while living up to a self-imposed standard of mistake-free living. When these bold brothers in Christ prayed for peace and the joy of God to fill me up, I was truly blessed. Jesus used them to give me a timely glimpse of how time with Him is the most important rest and refreshment I can ever imagine.

As we stood in a circle on busy Main Street, we held hands and prayed. We said goodbye and they left. I sat back down, picking up my homework, and they were gone when I looked up.

I believe I have a Father in heaven who cares for me. I believe God works miracles to touch His children, and sometimes those miracles look a lot like everyday people, reaching out to pray for a stranger.