World War II, Cracker Barrel, and an invitation to a bar....

I failed. I bombed. I blew it. I've felt led to share some God stories to encourage those who are becoming hungry for more of the presence of God and want to know if they can hear His voice. In my opinion, one of the reasons He is asking me to share what He is doing is because I am proof that if God can use me, then He can use ANYONE. I've been resistant to share some of these stories on social media because I know myself and all of my failures. I have convinced myself that I am the last person who could/should lead anyone to a closer walk with God. I know so many people who are smarter, hear His voice more clearly than I do, and have YEARS of better God stories to share with the world. We have so many friends and mentors who have a much intimate walk with Jesus and Holy Spirit. Actually I've told God all of those things; however, He didn't seem surprised or impressed with my insight and revelation. Since God hasn't changed His mind, I'm going to continue to share God stories that point people to Jesus.

This weekend we stopped at a local restaurant to eat a late lunch. A World War II veteran was sitting alone at the table next to us so I asked God if He wanted us to invite the man to eat with us, but I heard, "No". When the man was ready to leave he couldn't get the lid to close on his to-go box. I slid into the seat next to him and offered to help. The gentleman lit up and started talking and talking and talking. I learned his name was Richard and his wife died in 1993 (the year I graduated high school!); he has lived alone since then because he made a vow to her and says God is enough to sustain him. Richard didn't go to a hospital until he was 91 when they discovered stomach cancer; and that after he enlisted in the Navy at the age of 16, his aircraft carrier was hit by multiple Kamikaze planes. As he continued to talk, I placed my hand on his back to make sure that he had human contact that day. It wasn't until an hour later that I realized that he was probably close to 91 and he probably still had stomach cancer. I completely missed it!!! I heard him say it, but didn't realize that the cancer was probably the reason I had met him. I had a chance to bring Jesus into the situation, but I didn't.

That unexpected meeting wasn't just to be nice to a stranger; anyone can be nice. God allowed that man to meet someone who has seen stage 4 cancer completely healed in so many people that my family doesn't back away from it. God allowed that man to meet a family who believes that the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy; therefore, Christians should be the ones to thwart the plan of the enemy. Our family believes that Jesus paid for healing and salvation when He was whipped and then hung on the cross. I am sharing this story because I have been led to share the feel good stories and the victories for the kingdom. If I am willing to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of men and women we meet, I have to be willing to share the failures and times that I miss it and someone doesn’t get healed, set free, or introduced to Jesus.

After the veteran left the restaurant, a waiter from another section walked over to our table. He mentioned that he watched me spend time with the older gentleman and invited my family to come to a local bar and grille to sit and talk with other veterans who have returned home from the war. He was sharing how they are struggling to settle into civilian life and how many are dealing with PTSD and war injuries. Even though I missed my assignment with Richard, we are still praying for the cancer to be removed and healing to come to Richard's body. We are also asking God for the opportunity to introduce other veterans to the love of Jesus and that they will know Him as their Savior and healer.