wants to get married, but she’s an atheist. I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be alone.” I opened my mouth to speak, but he rushed on. “My daughter, Mandy, is into a lot of bad stuff you know, marijuana, sleeping around, skipping school. She’s only 14, and her mother doesn’t seem to care. I do what I can but she lives with her mother, and I only see her every-other-weekend. I’m only 37, and my life is a mess. I work from morning till night, six days a week, and never have time to do anything. What can I do?”
He clenched his jaw and pounded his fi st into his hand. He blinked away tears and wiped his nose with the back of his broad hand. He glanced up at the clock again and shook his head. “You already know the answer, I don’t need to tell you,” I said evenly. “You can’t marry someone who doesn’t believe in a God you obviously care for. You’ve struck out twice. You don’t want it to happen again, do you?” He shook his head, sniffi ng back tears.
“What happens if you’re wiped out at the intersection when you leave here?
You’re always in a hurry. When
you fi nd yourself before God and He asks why He should let you into heaven, what will you say? That you intended to serve him when
you retired? You know what He’ll ask, don’t you? ‘What did you do about My Son whom I sent to be your Savior?’ Have you taken the time to fi nd out for yourself—not just what other people say—who Jesus is, and why He came? Do you know what the Bible says about Him?”
Tears crept dangerously close now. He held up his hands and said in a cracked voice, “Yeah, you’re right. I know you’re right. I’m going to tell her it’s off. It’ll be hard because we still have to work together! Will you pray for me, and for Mandy? She really needs God too!”
“Of course I will. I know you’re late, but let’s pray right now.” I took his thick fi ngers in mine and asked God to give him the courage to do the right thing as a man and as a father. I prayed for this woman in his life, and for young Mandy. Then I handed him some tissues, and he blew his nose loudly. “Leo, you don’t need to be lonely because God is always with you. You need Christian friends and a
church family who’ll pray for you and support you and Mandy. You can’t do it alone, no one can, so don’t even try. Come back on Sunday. I’ll be looking for you.” As Leo tore his oversized van out of the parking lot, I asked God to protect him and bring him to faith in Jesus.
Then I collapsed in my chair astounded at what had just happened. I’m always so afraid I won’t know what to say, but the Holy Spirit promised to give me the words when I need them.
As a young Christian I used to think that only a preacher could tell someone about the Lord. The thought of witnessing made my hands sweat and my heart pound. Yet, talking and praying with Leo had been as natural as breathing. God had prepared him. I didn’t have to go into elaborate explanations. Per- haps next time I’d be able to share more, I thought.
Leo showed up in my offi ce a few days later without a delivery. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I want to pray right now.” He reached for my hands, and I led him through the sinner’s prayer. I said that sin separated him from God, and He needed a Savior to bridge the gap. God sent Jesus and all he needed to do was ask Jesus to forgive him and be Lord of his life. He repeated the words after me
and looked up with brimming eyes as I told him angels were rejoicing all over heaven. He gave me a massive hug, a radiant smile and said, “Thanks a lot. God bless you and I’ll see you Sunday.” I often ask God to send someone across my path with a heavy heart or a wounded spirit because I’ve been there. God was not only aware of Leo’s pain, but actually led him to me as an answer to both our prayers. My petition isn’t always a conscious one, but God reads hearts.
We all have unexpected opportunities to share Christ as we walk around in our lives—at work, in our neighborhoods, every where we go. We never know, but should be prepared for that “chance” ncounter, knowing that God orders our steps. My “appointment” with Leo was a double blessing— hope for him and a great encouragement to me. OM
Patricia Leech is a writer living in Santa Barbara, Calif.
42 Fall 2010 •
onmission.com
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