To the man who screamed at me in the Starbuck’s parking lot today, I have two simple words. "Thank you." You thought that was going to go somewhere else didn’t you. I did, too, when I saw him driving slow and leaning out of the window of his truck. For a moment I started having high school flashbacks and was contemplating an escape route. The interaction, however, didn’t end in tragedy or bullying or anything negative. It was actually a cool, little gift from God above.
I had gone to Starbucks to use the last $3.33 on my gold card, which would have only gotten me half an espresso shot, but I anted up the remaining $1.50 and got my usual, “Fully Loaded Mocha”. I sat inside for a bit and listened as a middle-aged couple regaled a young businessman with their stories of having traveled all over the world, or at least the lower 48. I watched him smile graciously and laugh here and there. With each positive response, the stories from the wife grew more grandiose. I walked outside after a few minutes, or I am sure I would have caught the tail end of how this woman’s great uncle might have helped assemble the Statue of Liberty or nailed the last remaining plank onto the Mayflower.
Once outside, I sat at a small table where someone had diligently worked to remove the no smoking sticker from the ashen black, metal tables and watched three fire trucks and a paramedic team clear up the remains of totaled Chevy Malibu on the nearby road. Then he showed up. The yelling man.
I saw him pull out of the drive way and pull slowly in front of the store. I had my bible and journal with me and was somewhere between what should I read and “hey look A SQUIRREL” when the gentleman in the truck yelled to me. He must have seen that I was carrying my bible and felt led to share a scripture with me. “Psalm 116,” he shouted triumphantly. Then he was gone as quick as he had arrived. My fear and angst suddenly gave way to relief and excitement as I turned the pages in my bible to read what God had given this guy to give to me.
What I read was indeed a message straight from God to me; the perfect, spiritual start to my day. I would love to share it with you.
Psalm 116:1 I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. 3 The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!” 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;yes, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 I said in my haste, “All men are liars.” 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? 13 I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LordIs the death of His saints. 16 O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
God is for you little brothers. Keep your ears and your heart open to hear His voice.