#3 The Shopping Center & Lee

Saturday 9/20 was a blustery, overcast day, so I knew the Boardwalk wouldn’t be a good site for reading God’s Word. I went anyway, though, just to confirm my doubts. Sure enough, no one was out there (or so I thought). At the end of the boardwalk, under the big screen-less gazebo, was a wedding party waiting for the bride. I set up in the grassy are in front of the parking lot thinking whatever passers-by there were would hear the Word. After about 10 minutes, the bride and her daddy passed by and we exchanged smiles. A few minutes later I got the strong nudging from God that my efforts were being wasted and I needed to move across the street to the Shopping Center. I packed up and headed that way and was stopped by a lovely woman who said that my words “did not fall on deaf ears.” She had gotten a blessing. We talked for a few minutes and she told me she was a Christian and was at the beach front relaxing. I thanked her for the encouragement and headed across the street. I decided to set up between the Farm Fresh and the Dollar Store, knowing full well that this was private property and I might be booted out at any time.

Once again I was so tickled to see how many kids would come right up to me and listen and take some of the Pocket Guides and Gospel tracts. (My Pastor had given me a whole box that weren’t getting used) Throughout my time there, I observed:
A man who stood to my left for a long time just listening.
A man who came right up to me and checked out my Bible and said he was just making sure I was reading the “real thing.”
A very drunk man, smiling from ear to ear, who took some of the literature and said he would read it because he wanted to get right with God. My past experiences have taught me to never try and talk about God with a drunk. He was very pleasant, though. I will pray for him.
A woman who passed me as I was reading about adultery and its troubles. She stopped about 15 feet from me, turned around and yelled something out. I stopped reading and asked her to repeat herself. She said, with a very angry voice and facial expressions, “It’s all about Jesus! It’s all about Jesus coming to earth and dying for our sins – and forgiving us, right?!” “Yes,” I replied, “and thank you.” She turned away and stormed off. Hmm, I said to no one, and wondered what she might be thinking.
Various folks walking together and, after passing me, repeating some of the phrases I had just said.

No question that God is using His Word to move in the hearts of people. After about 90 minutes, I packed up and went back to my car. There I saw the lovely woman I had met earlier and we proceeded to have a fabulous conversation about just everything. Her name is Lee and she is having some difficult times. Her husband was a Ford employee who lost his job when the plant closed. They lost their house and are now living apart, while he works 2 jobs. My heart goes out to her and all those folks who lost good jobs when the Ford plant closed. In spite of this, Lee was praising God. I told her about the angry woman I had encountered earlier and she said, “Oh, the Holy Spirit convicted her!” I hadn’t thought of that. She may be right. Funny how God’s Word is joyful to some and painful to others. Guess it’s that double-edged sword thing at work. Anyway, I started telling her about the great experience I’d had last Saturday with Matthew and Casey and Robert. I was explaining how I hadn’t even had the opportunity to meet Robert and was wondering how he was when, you guessed it, he showed up riding his bike! I was flipped out! I introduced him to Lee and asked him if he had gotten saved that day. He said “yes” and had gone to church that following Sunday. Turns out he’s a junior policeman at the beach and was working. As he pedaled off, I looked to Heaven and smiled as I thanked God. What a blessing!

Update on Matthew and Casey from last week – Matthew and I have talked several times and he is growing in the Lord. He went to a Bible study mid-week and said a man had told him that God thinks of him as a precious jewel, like a coveted pair of cufflinks that God is proud to wear. I love that image. Matthew is a great guy. Casey’s phone has been disconnected and I don’t know what’s happened to him. He did say that he would be going to New York (Syracuse, I think) where his girlfriend was. I pray that God looks after him, but will keep trying to get in contact with him. Please keep all these folks, and me, in your prayers. God bless you – I’ll be back with more soon. Amen.