The Spirit Goes Wherever It Pleases

Yesterday I was praying in the shower before church and I don't really feel like I understand everything that I was feeling or even what the Lord is trying to show me but the words adoption/fostering came to mind... again. While I see that he is opening my heart to the idea in the future, I can't discern what it is that he wants me to see right now. 

When the kids and I left church the snow was coming down. It changed our immediate plans and so I ordered a pizza that I had to go pick up for lunch. On the way back there was a man riding a bicycle down 17. The kids and I started talking about how it looked like he was slipping [by his tire tracks]. Traffic was heavy too.

As we passed him, I thought about how cold it was and how wet he must be. I made a comment out loud and said that I wished that we had room. Ethan quickly offered to wedge into the back between his siblings so that we could squeeze him in. It's kind of a big deal when one of the kids offers up "Shotgun". So, I tuned in.

I used to pick up people along the road before we had kids. Colin made me stop after we had them. It was an easy agreement because I was worried about their safety too. -But as we passed this man, I just felt like I was supposed to turn around. So I did. 

We pulled over into the old Page School parking lot and I was a little nervous as he had a shirt over the bottom of his face. He put the bike in the back of the truck. (Which is also ‘unusual’ because I was borrowing my mother-in-laws truck. I'm normally in a van). Anyway, when he opened the door and pulled down his mask I was relieved and startled to see a young boy. (20yo) Soaked. I instantly recognized the stubbornness of my own youth and knew that whether or not he was doing something good or bad he was only doing whatever it was to prove a point. -Even if it was only to himself.

Anyway, he got in the truck. Only for me to discover that he was going across the river to Newport News. I hated to only drive him part of the way but I was not comfortable driving farther than necessary in the weather, which didn't look to be letting up anytime soon. He was okay with only going part of the way and made a comment about not expecting to see nice people. In an instant I knew that I was supposed to talk to him about Jesus.

It felt just like a scene from the movies as I turned to look at him and said “Do you know Jesus?” –He is the reason I turned around, after all. We began a conversation about church and it turns out the boy was adopted and had also lived in a foster system. He lived here now with his brother and sister in law. I tuned in some more…

The smell of pizza was all over the inside of this truck and so, very uncharacteristically me again, I asked him if he wanted to come home with us. I could feed him and dry his clothes. (I barely invite people over because our house repulses me most of the time and I am not being modest.)

For whatever reason he agreed. My plan was to come home and work on a video for church. But he came in the door and we ate pizza and I must've asked him 50 questions or more. He was so polite and well mannered and even when he spoke about his past, he was careful with his words in mind of the kids. The kids were fascinated and I knew that they were learning something in this moment that I couldn't tell or teach them with my own words.  –But so was I. Without his knowing, his very presence and demeanor comforted me in regards to my prayer that morning.

After we ate, while his clothes were drying, he sat in the floor and played Legos with the kids. -All 3 of them sat with him the entire time that he was there. I washed dishes and prayed about what to do next. I felt like I should write him a letter with scripture & a prayer.

My husband was at gun show and I was slightly nervous about what he'd say when he got home. Although I figured if I was supposed to do it. God would take care of Colin's reaction too. But still... I lit a candle and prayed for peace in the home while I finished the dishes.

When Colin came home, I met him outside and explained that we had company. But instead of blurting it all out. I let Colin lead the conversation and I answered his questions only. -When I told him that I picked him up on the side of the road, I could see 'it' flash across his face. I repeated that he was a kid and the expression eased. He never said a word. He introduced himself and put some things away. Then I explained that his clothes were dry and that I needed to run him to Newport News. Colin said "okay well I will take him".  They got in the car and they left.

Colin returned later and didn't say anything about me picking up the young man (for 3 days). The kids were gone, we sat on the couch. I rubbed his feet and we lightly talked and then he said...okay we'll I'm going to take Ethan to the Ignite Conference in March.

I.sat.mystified.

You might not know about this conference but it's basically a 2 day Christian men's retreat. There are a few big name speakers, breakout sessions on marriage and other topics. There are hunting and fishing exhibits, etc. We learned of it last year. Ethan wanted to go because some of the Robertson's were there. When I got the dates for this year, I told Colin about it and sent him the link and never mentioned it again.

My husband to date is an unbeliever (unless he has made some acknowledgement privately that I am unaware of.) He's not a very social person. He doesn't like crowds or driving farther than 20 minutes. The layers of this decision are each a big deal and then it in itself it is a BIG deal!

I didn't want to tell you about what happened after church yesterday morning because I didn't want to draw attention to what I did. It wasn't about me. Nor do I want to tell you that I have been fasting from something on and off. Truthfully, I haven’t even been sure why I feel like I need to do it. But it reminds me of the verse John 3:8 - "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

That's a strange verse but when I asked God to show me what that means, he gave me this day as an answer.

You and I may not understand why we feel led to do things like fasting or completing unusual tasks. [hearing the wind] We may not ever understand how one thing connects to another like what I was doing and what was happening within my husband that made him decide to go to the conference. [The spirit moves where he pleases] But it sure seemed that when I was willing to stop what I was doing and follow prompting of the Lord, even when it didn't make sense; he was able to go to work on my behalf in a really big and personal way! [With my lesson from the young man and in Colin’s decision.]

I write this post to encourage you on your own journey. May you continue to have many "firsts" in your relationship with Christ. If you wonder when God will lead you to someone, ask him to show you. -But when he does so that's your queue to obey and meet the need. Regardless if you've done it before or the circumstances around it. Try to talk about the Lord, even if it's only offering to pray. I promise that when it's all over, you will feel blessed in being used by God. 

Peace be with you!

What about you-

• Do you ever feel like you should do something but decide not to because it’s too complicated or ‘different’ from what you’d usually do?

• What if it’s the Lord and his still small voice? Would that change your response? Why or why not?

• What if your obedience led to a revelation about him or an answer to a prayer? Would it be worth it?

I pray that you are open to the Lord’s day and all that he has within it! Bless you friend!