Strangers I Hope to See in Heaven

Strangers I Hope to See in Heaven

We were a small little church who wanted to share our love for and relationship with God with the world. Our pastor was such a witness for Jesus and
did her witnessing so naturally and easily that she wanted us to experience the thrill of sharing our faith with others. She planned a field trip for us on a Saturday afternoon. We would all go downtown in San Diego and pass out the Gospel of John on the streets.

I am a verbose person so it is hard to convince people that I am also shy and it was a frightening thought to me to be out on the street talking to strangers about Jesus, but the love I have for Him would not let me avoid the trip.

Things went smoothly at first with some folks smiling and accepting the booklets, some asking polite questions and others almost dashing past us to escape the chance that we might offer a tract to them.

The ones who refused us were not necessarily the ones we thought would do so. The ones who were interested were younger than we had expected although we realized they seemed to walk toward the cute twenty something young mom.

I was thrilled to see how naturally some of our members took to this street witnessing and how wise they were in the Holy Scriptures. It gave me a bit more confidence and energy. Then I saw them walking toward me...a group of BIG football player type guys. They were not smiling and didn't look happy at all to see a bunch of "fanatics for Jesus" in their path. Feeling a bit shaky I walked up to the biggest one and offered him the Gospel of John booklet. He glared at me and then pointed to the gold chain around his neck that used one of my most hated terms but in 24 ct gold. It told me what to do and it wasn't "fellowship"

He looked me right in the eye as he pointed to the golden command but I looked into his eyes, smiled and said softly, but as matter of factly as I could muster" I know, that's why you need this." He turned and he and his friends walked on toward the curb with his pace getting a bit slower as he walked away.

My friend, Bobbie Jo, said "Look, he is under conviction of the Holy Spirit. It gives me chills even now as I see him in my memory, turn around, walk directly back to me and hold out his hand, neither of us saying a word. No words were needed.

I have pondered this for years and thought how God orchestrates our lives so that we can learn about Him and can even use a shaky young mom on the sidewalks in San Diego. I think of this event from time to time and pray for that young man and truly expect to meet him when I get to Heaven. I feel sure that if God used me to give him a gentle introduction to His Word, that He had others along the way to guide him and fit him for God's Kingdom.

That is a very inspiring story, praise the Lord for boldness. So glad you shared this.

Oh, what an awesome story. I would be shaking in my boots if a group of extra large guys came walking toward me, but you approached the biggest one! You go girl!

Thank you both for reading. It was scary for me to do.

Maybe he caught just the slightest glint of your armor...God Bless you.

Love you like chocolate chip cookies!

Hugs

"I know, that's why you need this."

Shouted "I know!!! that's why you need this!!!!"

Whispered gently > I know,,,that's why,,,(statement of fact) YOU NEED THIS.

(matter of factly stated) I know (Joyfully) that's why you need this.

So many ways to say this sentence. I am guessing you said it the way he NEEDED to hear it.

Well done

(matter of factly but softly stated) I know (Joyfully) that's why you need this.

Clarified it a bit:

He looked me right in the eye as he pointed to the golden command but I looked into his eyes, smiled and said softly, but as matter of factly as I could muster" I know, that's why you need this." He turned and he and his friends walked on toward the curb with his pace getting a bit slower as he walked away.

A very wise woman not to yell at that guy, but I suspect that you wouldn't have had the nerve to anyway. I wouldn't.

I did not mean for you to go and rewrite the part. I am not a writer and anything I say is purely my perception of how I feel when I read whatever it is I am reading. In your case I have read lots if not all your posts here and you need no advice from me. you are one of the most intriguing writers I have come across. If you start listening to me you will be all messed up so please don't. lol
By the way is factly a word every time I write it it gets that red thing in it but I hear it all the time (matter of factly) Anyways if it is not, that is a good point on why you should not listen to my grammar advice.
I enjoy reading your work very much!!!!
God Bless

No apology needed! I thought what you said was just what I needed to hear. I could still see the scene in my mind but others can't and I think to share how I said the words adds more emotion to the account.

Thank you for all of your kind words. :-) I think it is a word, I always use it, when I want to state things matter of factly...lol


matter-of-factly adv.
matter-of-factness n.