The following is a story I’ve shared a few times before…
Several years ago, my family and I were in Colorado on vacation. As is always the case when we travel, we stay at a Hampton Inn. Through my business travels Hampton Inn Hotels had everything I needed for a comfortable stay: a clean room, a fitness center, a firm mattress, a loud fan on the AC unit, and eggs for breakfast.
For those of you who’ve read my book “In Search of P.E.A.C.E.,” you know where this story is going, but God gave me a nudge to share an abbreviated version.
On the first morning of our stay, I got up around 6 am to have breakfast and do my morning devotions. This routine has been a beautiful part of our marriage when we travel because Lori likes to sleep in, and so does Jordan.
Upon entering the dining area, much to my dismay, I found there were no eggs.
I asked the lady overseeing breakfast if the eggs were due out soon, and she said, “I’m not sure when they will be available. We ran out, and our next shipment is due anytime.”
I calmly problem-solved. I remembered seeing a local diner near the hotel and surmised that they had to serve breakfast. I concluded that I could eat and return to the hotel in time to stay with Jordan while Lori got her breakfast.
While standing in line to be seated at the diner, a disparate-looking gentleman stood before me. When the host came to seat him, he said, “I’m not here to eat; I’m here to see if you can spare me a cup of water.” She gladly obliged, and as she turned to fetch some water for him, I tapped him on the shoulder and asked if I could buy him breakfast. His eyes lit up as he accepted my offer, and I told the host he would join me for breakfast.
Long story short–this guy was homeless and living on the streets of Fort Collins, Colorado. What struck me as odd about the gentleman was that I sensed a powerful feeling of peace emanating from his spirit. I asked him how he could be so calm while living in such an uncertain and tumultuous state.
He looked at me and stated, “I was raised believing in Jesus, and I did some things that got me off track, but I’ve never stopped believing.” Then he asked me if he could look at some scripture in my Bible. (I had my Bible and journal with me because I intended to do my morning devotion while eating breakfast.)
I gave him my Bible, and he began leafing through the pages for about a minute and finally said, “Here it is.” Then he looked at me and said, “Do you believe what is written in this book is true?” I said, “Absolutely!â€
Then he began reading this scripture to me:
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ, who gives me the strength I need. (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT)
He returned my Bible to me and said, “That is why I have peace.”
Gary (his name) did not know I was going through a challenging time in my professional career. I had left my work family of thirty-two years through a leap of faith, and the various unknowns of my future made me quite anxious.
At that moment, Jesus calmed me through His words read to me by a homeless guy.
On a side note, I paid Gary a favor by buying him a bus ticket so he could reconnect with his family in Florida, and the restaurant owner gave us our breakfasts for free.
That is how God’s world works.
As we witness to others, they often witness right back at us, and we are blessed abundantly.
Who is God calling you to share His words of promise?
His voice leads us not into timid discipleship but into bold witness. ~Charles Stanley
Journal your thoughts:
What am I grateful for today?
In what way(s) will I bring light to the world today?
What will I deny myself to draw closer to God and gain more peace in my life today?
Prayer:
God, I offer myself to Thee—To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always! Amen. (Third Step Prayer – Chapter 5, pg.63, The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous)
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
