I just wanted to recount this experience so my kids know of my testimony and can look back on my experiences when they are going through hard times themselves. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God knows who we are and is aware of our lives and hears and answers my prayers. I want to recount everything so you can see the little details he orchestrated so it could all work out in the end.
I read a conference talk a while ago that the apostle told of how his wife prayed everyday to be an answer to someones prayer. I thought that is was so cool that she wanted to be an answer to someones prayer each day so I started implementing that into my prayers as well as asking for me to be aware of the needs of people around me that I might be able to help. I rarely see how I answer someones prayers but I try to follow any good thoughts I have....like text this person, hug him instead of discipline him, sit and listen to what they are saying instead of getting stuff done, or actually say the good things I think about people (who doesn't need to hear positive things about themselves). I am not sure I am an answer each day but I try to be open and willing if I can be.
So for Christmas this year and my birthday, mother's day, anniversary next year I told Trevor I want to have my house cleaned once a month. I can keep up on the day to day stuff but the deep cleaning just never happens and with 5 kids it tends to add up and I get stressed about it.
Today was the first day they were coming to clean, so last night I put money aside to pay them. I couldn't remember the exact cost and neither could Trevor so I put what I thought it was aside but then kept $20 more dollars in my wallet just in case (this is important because I never, never, never have cash in my wallet)
So today we are running really late to school (which usually does not happen) and I stopped to get gas on way home from dropping off kids (I didn't really need to...I usually wait until the last minute but I thought why not just stop while you have the time)
As I am looking for a spot I pass one....like I didn't even see it and then had to turn and pull into another one. As I was done filling up and about to get into my car to leave I hear a lady say....I am back again and will probably be here later today. I need to put $3.70 on pump 1 and hands that cashier a baggie with change it in. I usually just ignore things but I felt for some reason to stop. I didn't want to offend her but I looked at her for a minute and she looked at me and so I pulled $10 from my wallet and said is it OK if I give this to you. She proceeds to cry and says God Bless you. I am about to get in my car and she walks back to pay more to the cashier and I think you can do more than that. I get the other $10 and go to her and said keep all the money and let me fill up your car on my card. She starts balling. She tells me that I am an angel from Heaven. I tell her no I am just doing as I am directed but someone else is aware of her needs and is just using me to help.
She then tells me her story. Her husband just got out of the military and is suffering from PTSD. He hasn't gotten out of bed in 5 days and she is on her way to take him to hospital. She said she went to yoga this morning to help her find some peace and center herself (which to me is the way most people pray and connect with God if they don't know how to do it formally). I told her well it worked because he heard her and sent me to help in the small way that I could. She pulled out her phone cause she wanted me to understand just how much I had helped. She had just sent her ex mother in law (her kids father who doesn't pay child support) asking her if she could borrow $40 and hopefully she could pay her back sometime in December. We proceeded to hug I wished her luck and to tell her husband we are grateful for his service and sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms we do. She took a picture of us so she could show her husband there are good people out there.
I dont record this experience so I can get the reward and recognition. I do it for 2 reasons. The first is to show that God knows us. He is aware of our struggles and hardships and if we reach out to him he will answer your prayers and will lead and guide you. He might not take your trials away but he will help you bear them while you go through them. The second reason is to remind us that we can be his hands on this earth. We won't move mountains and heal thousands but we can help the one. Christ healed and helped one by one and so can we. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. The small deeds we do each day can change the outlook and circumstances for the ONE.
Please don't ever doubt how powerful you are. You are a child of God who loves you. He will bless you and will use you to bless others if we let him. I am so grateful for this knowledge.
