Two Ladies and a Phone

As I begin to write this next article, I realize I’m struggling with which story to share. Which message will have an impact on the reader in a way that will not only touch their hearts but open their eyes to God’s glory all around us. I recognize God put me in a position to be a witness to things behind closed doors that people don’t see in a pulpit or on a stage. God moved in ways that would be truly seen by the intended individual(s). Jesus will meet us where we are and speak to us in way we personally identify with. We see things on the surface, but God knows our hearts. He knows our thoughts. He knows what we are into and what we dislike. He often uses symbols like in parables.  

Matthew 13: 10-12 AMP Then the disciples came to Him and asked, “Why do You speak to the crowds in parables?” Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word, to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Jesus always taught in parables. The intended individuals would hear it and understand it while those who blew God off would be confused. In other words, a person’s heart posture for God is the key to what he/she sees and hears in respect to the things of God. God absolutely hears our prayers and will use the simple things of this world to answer us if we are listening.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of working with amazing volunteers at a mega church. Daily I found myself in absolute awe of how God worked in other people’s lives, not just my own. In a hurting world, I was asked to lead a group of volunteers to call and pray for people who attended the church, whether they attended in person or watched online didn’t matter. There is power in agreement.

I remember it was a Tuesday evening, I got to work with a brand new volunteer. She gave an hour of her time to come in and make calls after she worked a 10-hour shift as a nurse. I had prepared a list of people with their phone numbers ahead of time. I provided talking points to help answer questions about upcoming events at the church and a script for what to say in the event she needed to leave a voicemail. Sheila (name change) sat down with me to discuss the list in front of her and address any questions she may have had. She was a fast learner. Within a few moments she dialed the first number and got the person’s voicemail. Same thing with the second person. The third person answered and wanted prayer for her child who was getting ready to leave for college. Any parent with a child in this position can relate. Sheila gave a heart-felt prayer. She referenced a couple scriptures and showed love for the person on the other end of the phone. That person decided she had a lot of questions concerning Bible College and the dorms. She wanted to know more about the classes that were offered. She was frustrated at the fact that her child was 18 years old and therefore, considered a legal adult. As a legal adult, her child and the college was no longer obligated to share information due to privacy laws. Sheila handled it like a pro. She was so gracious and patient. The lady wasn’t satisfied with Sheila’s answers so she put the lady on speaker phone so I could assist. Sometimes it's hard to accept our kids are growing up. Our natural instinct is to protect them. That lady was super nice but kept us on the phone for 45 minutes. I remember Sheila and I kept trying to get off the phone but the lady declined our offer to have someone from the bible college call her numerous times. In the end, I think she just needed someone to vent to and was grateful for our time.

That 45-minute phone call ate up all of Sheila’s time. Disappointment was all over her face. There were almost forty people on her call list and only three were reached out to. Sheila was determined to come back the following week and make more calls. Thank goodness I didn’t scare her off! God had placed it on her heart the importance of reaching out and loving on His people.

The following afternoon, the same call list was given to another volunteer, Kristy(name change). She showed up with her bible in hand, asked a couple questions and began making calls starting where Sheila had left off the night before. I remember stepping a way to fetch Kristy a bottle of water and a granola bar, a little something to let her know I appreciated her time. When I came back I could see tears streaming down Kristy’s face. She was telling someone on the phone that God sees them. God loves them and Jesus is always with them. She began praying for this person and I remember the need to stop what I was doing. I began praying with her while standing in the doorway. Tears were filling my eyes as a felt the Spirit of God so powerfully in that room. I can’t even describe it adequately but there was no denying it was absolutely God’s presence.

Kristy hung-up the phone and took a moment. The first person on Kristy’s call list would have been called the night before had Sheila and I not have gotten caught up with a longer than expected call. That man shared with Kristy he had been on his knees pleading with God to show him that he hadn’t been forgotten. He was so lonely and barely scraping by. The pain his heart felt was unbearable and he just needed a touch from God. He told Kristy while in tears that he had just finished that prayer to God when the phone rang. He normally didn’t answer the phone when he didn’t recognize the number calling. For some reason, this time he tapped the green button. When he answered, Kristy said she was calling from the church and would like to pray with him. To some that may seem trivial, but to that man…at that exact moment…God showed that man he wasn’t alone. God used Kristy to show that man that God loved him and was listening to his prayers. God’s timing is perfect. It was so perfect I had to call and share that story with Sheila. God had a plan. God gave that man hope for a better tomorrow.

Sitting here on my couch typing this story, I keep pausing because I can’t stop the tears. Every time I share this story I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness. I am humbled and incredibly grateful to have witnessed these kinds of events. Not only did it increase my faith, recalling these memories allows me to share the accounts with you. I pray in the name of Jesus that God opens your eyes to see the things He wants to show you. I pray that your heart is open to God so that He may use you to bless others. The volunteers who took time out of their busy lives don’t have YouTube channels or large audiences on Sunday mornings. They aren’t carrying microphones and jumping in the pulpit to share a message. These ladies never even sat in the first six or seven rows at church. They are both so humble. You meet them and you can see the love of God just oozes out of them both. What an honor it was to serve with them. I believe I learned more from them than they ever learned from me.

If you are still reading this, I pray this story has spoken to you. I would love to hear your testimony and your experiences. It’s time to give God glory.

God bless!