#9 & 10 A God-Sized Dose Of Encouragement

April 4th was a gorgeous day in Hampton Roads and my wife and I enjoyed it to the full. We shopped for flowers and plants and seeds and dirt and then played in the yard until about 3:30pm. I had felt the call to do some Street-Reading and decided I should go while it was still pretty early and folks would be moving around. The enemy is insidious, however, and nearly convinced me not to go: “It’s too late, just go tomorrow” and “Stay home and help your wife with the yard work and planting.” With the support of my wife and the nudging of God, I fought off those darts (To God be the glory for the victory!) and headed to OV Beach. Lots of folks were milling around and going to and from the beach as I set up and began reading the Gospel. After awhile I noticed a woman who was just watching and listening and finally stopped me as I was flipping to another passage. She introduced herself – Joyce – and said she was so encouraged to hear me and that she was so proud of me for proclaiming the Gospel. Well, let me just tell you that my heart burst in my chest and the Spirit welled up in me and I couldn’t control myself – tears came flowing from my eyes. It was as if Jesus Himself was speaking to me – encouraging me! I hugged her and thanked her and she told me a few more times how proud of me she was. We had a great conversation and exchanged phone numbers and email addresses. Then she prayed for me, that angels would surround me and protect me as I read, and I prayed for her and her family. Seems that her family has been involved in Christian theater and, as I am in the midst of writing my 7th play, that really piqued my interest. God is so fabulous about getting people together who share the same interests!

A little while later, as I paused between passages, a woman sitting on a bench yelled over to me, “I’m listening!” I smiled and waved at her and said, “thanks” and continued reading. From that point on I could hear her saying “Amen” every so often and just encouraging me. After about 20 minutes, I stopped for the day and went over to talk with her. Loretta had gotten off of work and decided that she wanted to go to the waterfront to take in God’s beauty. She prayed that God would give her ‘a word’ as she was reading her Bible. When she got to the beach, there I was reading the exact passage that she had been reading! She was just amazed at God’s beautiful answer to her prayers and she and I had a great time praising God together. As we were talking, several people stopped by my little table of tracts and Gospel of John booklets and took them. Usually, when I’m reading, they won’t do that. I have to re-think that process.

Some lessons learned:
1. When Joyce prayed for my protection as I read the Gospel, it gave me an incredible feeling. The image of angels surrounding me as I read God’s Word is quite powerful and gives me a sense of connectedness with God that I had previously not considered. I am a pretty bold person by nature, but realizing that God is indeed protecting me as His Word goes out to do His will is comforting and exhilarating – and encouraging. (There’s that word again!) God bless you, Joyce.
2. Loretta helped to solidify the reality and urgency of God’s calling to me. When He puts it on my heart to go and read, it’s for a reason – whether to offer help to a lost soul or inspiration to a believer, or any number of things that God may want to accomplish with His Word. I mean, I knew that before, down deep somewhere, but she showed me how stunningly ‘real’ and exciting it is to do what God wants when He wants it done! To actually be a part of His plan! To work alongside the Creator and Master of the universe! Whew - what a blessing! God bless you, Loretta.
3. I think I need to move my little table of tracts and Gospel booklets further away from me as I read. I think I may be intimidating people. When no one is around, people stop and take some.
4. I have always enjoyed the children that stop to watch and listen as I read – they’re so innocent and filled with wonder. Without exception, if their parents don’t stop them, they will stand and watch. Well, it finally dawned on me what’s happening. Just as they would stop to watch and listen to Jesus, they are drawn to the Word in the same way. Jesus is the Word and the Word is Jesus! (John 1:1-2) As I read the Word, children (and other folks as well) are drawn to it as if it was actually Jesus standing there talking to them. Amazing, huh? Now, I don’t think I’m quite the picture of Jesus that people have in mind, but hey, it’s all about the Gospel!
5. Finally, it occurred to me as I was driving home from the beach, that when Joyce was talking to me, it really was Jesus. She was the conduit that His love and encouragement flowed through, and she was faithful in allowing Him to love me through her. What a blessing for Joyce and I both to be used of the Master!


On Sunday, April 5th, I returned to OV Beach for about an hour or so. It was another beautiful day but was relatively quiet. Not nearly as many folks out. Still, God’s Word was read and it didn’t return to Him without its purpose being accomplished – whatever that was. (Isaiah 55:10-11) I am honored to be a part of the process. I expect that I will not always be privy to the workings of the Creator, but am blessed when I am.

Thanks for reading – keep me in your prayers. I'll take some pics of OV Beach and post 'em next time. God bless all of you!