Let them praise the name of the LORD,for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.

Do you ever wonder if you’re just wandering around aimlessly in life, that everything is random? I think most of you who know me by now know I don’t believe in random chances or coincidence. Tonight I was in the right place at the right time for the right reason.

I did my usual thing today. I went to work. I had a really good day all the way around. One of our perfusionists has taken a new job and we were invited to a farewell happy hour. I don’t do happy hour anymore. I am a new creation. I don’t drink for reasons you can read about here. Two people from the heart team asked me if I was going to go to the happy hour. I am always left feeling awkward in these situations. I have clearly said I don’t drink anymore. I end up feeling guilty for not wanting to participate in the group activity. I wrestled with this question all day. Should I go or shouldn’t I go? Finally, as I headed for the car after work, I thought, “no, I’m not going to cave into this desire to please people. They don’t even talk to me at their social gatherings. They won’t even notice I’m not there.” I finally felt relieved.

On my way home from work, I was going to run by the  mall to look for a new messenger bag, but I went home first instead. After I got home I was reading my Bible. Robert called and asked me to give him a ride to his car because it broke down last night. He had it towed to his shop and fixed it today. I said sure. I decided to go to the mall after this. I looked around for that messenger bag I wanted. I ended up at the Kipling store and found one that was just right.

When I went to the register to pay for the bag, the sales girl struck up a conversation. She asked me about my tattoos. She saw my work ID and asked me about my job. All the while her coworker was standing there. He also joined the conversation. I completely sensed a perfect opportunity to share the Gospel. Somehow, the Holy Spirit changed the conversation to spiritual things! I shared the Gospel with this girl and boy! God gets all the glory because I am incapable of these things all by myself.

It happened quite naturally. I shared my testimony. This led to the girl saying she was happy for me. She said she was “spiritual” and knows there is something “out there”. I asked her if she knows how to get to heaven. She said she wasn’t exactly sure. I asked her if she died today and stood before God and He asked her why He should let her into heaven, what would she say? She said she hopes He’ll let her in to be with her family. Then I asked her if she knows the ten commandments. She said she knew some, but not all. I explained to her the problem of sin, how it separates us from God, how we need a savior. I explained how Jesus was the substitute for us, how He payed the price for our sins, that if we believe it, repent of our sins and confess Him as Lord, we can be saved. The boy kind of walked back and forth and didn’t have much to say, but the girl listened very intently as she contemplated the ten commandments and sin. God is so good!

I asked the girl when she was going to be working again. She was so friendly. She said she would be at the store on Sunday. I asked her if I could drop off a Gospel of John for her. She said yes very enthusiastically! Praise God!

I walked out of that store praising God! If I would have gone to that happy hour, I would have missed this opportunity! I was in the right place at the right time for the right reason and God gets all the glory!!!

Forever His… Michelle