Our Help and Deliverer

I have the best friends on earth. A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, my friend Carol dropped off a gorgeous, brand new Spring coat and some money for me to give to one of the mamas I work with. I volunteer on the abortion mill sidewalks, first to encourage women to choose life, not abortion, and then to walk alongside them and meet their needs as able. Of primary importance is helping them know God, who is ultimately what we all need most. Many friends and supporters of the group I volunteer with (Cities4life) donate resources to aid these moms. Carol was moved by God to give one of the mamas the beautiful coat. She left me instructions that I was to give the coat to the mama I felt should have it. (She left me chocolate and flowers. Do I know how to pick my friends, or what!?)

But how to pick who to give the coat to! I work with several mamas, and all were in a bit of crisis last week. Who to give the coat and money to? I put the bag with the lovely coat in my car and prayed God would  show me who the coat should bless. Yesterday, I had arranged to take one of the mamas out to lunch. She had been having several medical issues, had reconsidered abortion, chosen (again) to let her child live, and then been slammed by a whole host of troubles. I was worried for her on many levels. Would she back out of her decision for life with so many struggles in her path? I had a package of maternity clothes and an adorable baby outfit to give her. She needed perhaps more than anything to talk with someone who knew her story and would not condemn her, but try to help her find God in all the mess of life.

It was cold and rainy. She arrived at the restaurant, and got out of the car. She was clutching her arms against her body, shivering. She was not wearing a coat.
"It's so cold," she said.
"I have a wonderful surprise for you!" I told her.
I pulled the coat out of my car.
"Do you like this?"
"I love it!"
"A friend who loves God wants you to have it," I said.
"I don't have a coat!" she exclaimed.
She tried the coat on. It fit perfectly (with room for an expanding tummy) as though it had been made just for her.
Which of course....it had.

"And one more thing this woman wanted you to have."
I handed her the envelope of money.
The sweet mama looked inside the envelope.
"I didn't know how I was going to pay my electric bill," she said, "And this is more than enough. God is so good." She asked for my friend's email, wanting to thank her herself. I piled the maternity clothes in her car, along with the little baby outfit.
"Lunch is on me," I told her as we walked in.
Then she did something that touched me deeply.
"No," she said firmly, "I want to buy you lunch. I insist on it." It was not a good decision based on her finances and struggles, but she was adamant, and it meant a great deal to her to offer that. I thanked her, and got the cheapest thing on the menu.

We talked about God at lunch. One way or another, all my discussions with the women who I walk alongside end up being about God. We talked about God's assurance of heaven to those who trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. She was concerned over all her bad choices in life, but I hope our discussion and God's Word left her with peace that because she believes, she is saved, and nothing can take that from her. Just as she could not earn salvation, she could not lose it.

Walking in faith in the midst of terrible hardship is not easy, but she is struggling to do so, however haltingly. I shared the story of Balaam's donkey with her (see my blog from March 27 if unfamiliar with the story.) She understood the deeper message instantly.
"Sometimes we are blocked by God for our own good," I summarized.
"And sometimes we kick the obstacle as though that were the problem," she said, "Instead of just turning around and doing the right thing." (You see why I admire this woman.) She was silent, thinking for a moment, and I know God was at work in her heart.

There is nothing more gratifying than watching God meeting the needs of new believers like this special woman. I suppose the cynics out there are smirking, and saying God didn't meet the need. My friend Carol did. On one level, this is true. But my friend Carol loves God, and felt His prompting to offer the coat. She had no idea this particular woman needed a coat, nor her size. Carol was privileged to be a part of God's plan, a participant in one of His little miracles that helped a struggling woman feel a little less alone in her struggle. Nothing feels better deep in our soul than being a part of something so wondrous.

Later that day, I got a text from the mama with the coat: I am getting soooooooooooooo many compliments about the coat. It is making me feel really good.
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If you would like to join us in this life changing ministry, please go to Charlotte.cities4life.org
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Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:25 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:32-33 

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Acts 20:35 

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Psalm 37:4 

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 40:17

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!