Dry and Weary Land

Sometimes God amazes me.  Ok, most of the time He does.  Today was one of those times.

It started out like a regular day.  I went to my seven o'clock class here at Ozark, came back to my room and got my lunch and books together and was out front of my dorm at 8:40 waiting for my ride.

My ride is yet another of God's gifts to me, and today was the first time I was going with this particular girl.  My first class at Southern had been canceled, but I wanted to show her the building where I'll normally need to be dropped off, so I just had her drop me off there.

After getting out of the car and watching her drive away, I debated with myself over whether to go to the building where my next class would be, or to just go sit in this one for a bit.  Without even making up my mind, I went into the building and sat down.  I opened my backpack and saw my Bible.  "I really should do homework," I thought, but I hadn't been having much of a quiet time lately, and this was a good chance.  I sat at a table in the stairway and opened it up.  Everyone else was coming in for class, but I was out of the way and absorbed in my reading, and I hardly noticed them going by. 

I finished my chapter and debated with myself over whether to sit there for awhile, or to go ahead and move to the other building.  For some reason, I just kept sitting there.  I started working on some memory work for one of my Ozark classes. 

The classes let out and people were rushing by again.  I didn't look up, but kept writing out my memory work. Then, suddenly, a girl stepped out of the flood surging up the stairs. 

"I noticed you reading your Bible when I came in..." she said. "I really needed that.  It was such a blessing...I'm sorry!" She started to cry.  "It's just been really hard.  I feel like I'm the only Christian here.  All the people I'm around are so worldly.  I was talking to my mom...it's been so hard.  But seeing you...God knew I needed to see Him. Thank you."

I was speechless.  I asked her name and told her I would pray for her, and that I hoped to see her again.  She left to go to her next class.

It really opened my eyes to how very blessed I am.  I live in a Christian community.  I am so used to experiencing God daily that I have taken Him for granted.  What a wake-up call!

It reminded me of Psalm 42.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, 

so my soul pants for You, O God.  

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  

When can I go and meet with God?  

My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, 

'Where is your God?'"  

(Psalm 42:1-3)

Father, 
I am blown away that You would use me.  I am so used to seeing You, I don't notice any more.  I haven't made You my first priority.  Yet, because of Your great love, You put me in just the right place so that You could touch this girl.  Glory to Your name! You came to her when she needed You, and even more, You let me see You through it, loud and clear, when I wasn't even paying attention! Thank You.
Please continue to be with this girl.  Come to her as she is yearning for You.  Send your people to surround her, Lord. God, I also pray that I would remember this lesson.  Awake in me the thirst that she has for You. 
Amen.