I have been slacking so much in the 'Brag on God Friday' department. I think it's been about a month since I've done one! (I KNOW!). I have no excuses really.
This week, I wanted to write one, but I wasn't sure what to say. Today, I figured it out-- at Wal-mart.
If you have read a lot of blog posts of mine (both her and at www.encourage365.com ), you've probably figured out that I'd love to do some type of 'something' where I can help lead people to Jesus. I'm not entirely sure what it is yet. I keep praying about it. It doesn't entirely help that I'm one of the more shy people in the world lol.
So, today, my girls and I went to Wal-mart, and I prayed before we went...
1. I always pray before we go (3 kids and just me and all... )
2. That the Lord would lose my lips and give me opportunities.
He didn't disappoint.
If this was an inspirational movie, the main character (ie me... played by Candace Cameron Bure) would have gone into the store. Be met by a stranger who told all about her grandkids. The main character would then use that opportunity to tell the lady how blessed she was and how God was good and seemlessly gone into asking if she knew Jesus.
*That* would be the movie version. The credits would have rolled and people would have been inspired...
Today's real life version was a bit--- different.
God didn't disappoint in the sending people to talk too. I had at least 2 people start conversations with me-- that NEVER happens. Ever. Usually they will talk to my kids and me in passing, but these were full on conversations-- to me!
The first lady was so sweet. She showed me a picture of her new grand daughter (who has red hair like 2 of my daughters). It was the perfect opportunity. I knew it was. My mind kept racing "Ok, here is my shot. What should I say? What should I say?... "
And...
That was it.
Moment over.
The lady smiled and walked off.
Sigh.
I knew it was a missed opportunity (and an hour later in the parking lot I FINALLY figured out a good response to her lol). But I didn't give up... I trudged on.
Went in the chips aisle.
There was a man who said, "Do you know this Wal-mart well enough to tell me where the Little Debbie Snack Cakes are located?"
I laughed and told him I did-- and where they were. He smiled and I told him to have a good day. How much harder would "God Bless You" have been?
Again... missed opportunity... sigh #2. I talked to may other people there-- all were ones I knew.
I got to the car and reflected on my trip. I probably talked to 15 people at Wal-mart today... and I mentioned God zero times.
Zero.
However, instead of seeing today as a failure, I see it as learning. Talking to people does NOT come easily for me. Even people that I know. I'm more of a writer. I can write until my fingers fall off, but speaking is harder. I get all tongue tied-- it's not pretty.
I am getting better. At least this trip I SAW opportunities to talk about God. No, I didn't take them, but it's baby steps... baby steps.
Some people just have the gift of talking naturally.
My husband has never met a stranger. He can talk to anyone about God. He says he's nervous about it, but you could never tell by how he conducts himself.
Me... not so much.
So my brag on God is that He shows us things to make us learn. He gives us time to adjust. He gives us gifts to get His message across (My husband can't write very well, but he is a great conversationalist).
Before, I would have been upset over today's trip thinking that I let God down. But I know in my heart that it is a learning process. And it might take 10 years, but I'll get the hang of it. I'm not getting down and I'm not getting discouraged.
Much Love,
Kelly
Linked with: Brag on God Friday @ Behold Glory