Two people. Two hard lives. Neither knew Jesus, yet God went to great lengths to display His power and exhibit His love to Jim and Brenda.
God planted them in a place where they witnessed His love. They responded. The more they learned, the more their lives were transformed.
How We Met
For ten of the twenty-five years my husband and I pastored, we also ran a feeding ministry on weeknights. We witnessed:
- appreciative people
- complainers
- those who appeared to change, but didn’t
- ones who changed at first but went back
- a few whose lives were transformed like Jim and Brenda (fictitious names)
They were the type that made all the extra hard work worth it – the kind we never forgot.
Jim and Brenda’s Miracle
While cleaning up, we noticed the new couple hanging around as if they needed to talk. We obliged.
Once the four of us were settled at our white plastic rectangular tables, my husband asked in his normal friendly voice, “What’s your story? Are you just passing through?”
Jim led off and did most of the telling with some accent possibly from the Northeast. I could tell he was taller than Brenda by where their voices rang out.
His voice was strong. Reminded me of a hard worker used to doing almost any type of manual labor. If I was guessing, he probably was the type who drove up to construction sites and asked for work on the spot.
Brenda, on the other hand, was so timid, there were times we had to have her repeat.
Originally from West Virginia, they moved to Indiana for him to work construction. She got a part-time job in food service, but it couldn’t support them when he lost his job.
Reaching out to family in Texas, they were elated when work was offered. They began packing their sparse belongings. When the tax refund arrived, they loaded their van and headed southward.
Brenda cleared her throat then picked up the story. “We slept in the van and ate just enough to get by, believing our cash would last us. Then our van broke down.”
“Yeh,” Jim agreed, gesturing with his tan hands and nodding. “Took most of our money and we weren’t sure what to do. Her job wanted her back, but we didn’t want to go back and didn’t know where else we could start over. Then I got an idea.”
Brenda smiled and nodded vigorously. “He thought he could find enough work to replenish our cash supply, so we could still go to Texas. But we only had enough money to fill our tank.”
My husband, Pastor Steve, noticed their bodies tense. Their facial expressions became perplexed. Their voices grew higher and shakier as they continued – Jim first.
While getting gas, the van radio advertised a Baptist church in Joplin, Missouri. Brenda quickly wrote the phone number on the edge of an envelope.
Silently, she hoped the church might help him find work. If real lucky, they might even help with money for lodging or food.
Driving away, he pushed the numbers on his cell written on the envelope. The response surprised him.
“I’ve never heard of a church this size that didn’t offer assistance,” he blurted to Brenda. “Would you believe they passed us off to a small church somewhere in Baxter Springs, KS who has free hot meals weeknights? I don’t even know where that is!”
As his fingers typed the address in his GPS, Brenda yelled. “There it is!”
Jim looked up. His eyes immediately spotted an exit sign to Baxter Springs, Kansas. “Well, I’ll be! Doesn’t that beat all?”
Within minutes, Jim and Brenda entered Trinity Worship Center’s fellowship hall. People were lining up to be served and they slid right in, as if invited.
Pastor Steve and I gave each other a knowing look. We recognize a miracle when we see it and have seen plenty of them.
Once home, snuggled beside each other on the love seat, we discussed this amazing story.
God’s timing really is perfect!
Jim and Brenda had not prayed, yet God knew their needs and miraculously met them to reveal Himself.
Neither of us ever figured out how this Baptist church in Joplin knew of our small church or Word in Action Ministry, but God did. That church was part of the miracle.
When Jim and Brenda needed food, shelter, and to hear the Gospel and they thought they only needed gas, God orchestrated the right church advertisement to be on the radio while at a gas station.
This would take them to Trinity Worship Center – just in time for dinner. It was also a place where their lives would be transformed through God’s unconditional love being exhibited.
From Mishaps to Missions
God’s love is so deep that He makes a way when there seem to be no way – just for you. His timing is more perfect than you realize. Grab my book, “From Mishaps to Mission,” and be inspired! It’s an adventure you won’t forget!
Transformation Unfolds
At the end of our conversation that night at the dinner, Jim and Brenda seemed pleasantly surprised to learn this small church also allowed people to lodge in some rooms until they got back on their feet.
To show their gratitude, Jim and Brenda:
- Either cooked or cleaned at every nightly Community Dinner
- attended all church services without being told to
- helped with construction projects, and unloading food
During these times they witnessed God’s love, learned Biblical truths, and began rebuilding their lives.
They started filling out job applications within days. Suggestions were made by us, and they took initiative also.
Temp jobs were obtained soon, providing basic needs. Permanent work followed relatively quickly thereafter.
Within two months, Jim and Brenda saved enough to move into their own house. Our ministry helped them find one and gave some basic furniture to go inside.
In their third month, Brenda accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Jim followed suit a month later.
Old habits began to die and be replaced with better ones. God’s love transformed their lives.
Transforming Love Exhibited
Love casts out fear. Love glorifies God. Love heals and transforms. It is the best witnessing tool God has given us to use.
God loved so much He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. When we show sinners this same kind of love, lives will be transformed.
It is our job to show God’s love according to 1 Cor. 13:4-8.
I’m thankful our church welcomed everyone with open arms.
It didn’t matter if the person hadn’t bathed, wore inappropriate clothing, was employed, came out of jail, or had an addiction – they loved.
All church members looked them in the eye, shook hands, and gave their personal possessions when led.
Our Word in Action Ministry volunteers did the same.
This love exhibited was absolutely transforming for Jim and Brenda. It transformed others as well, to varying levels.
You, too, have been touched by this transforming love at some point in your life by someone special more than likely. AND you still are. Every time you meet someone displaying God’s unconditional love or have a miraculous ‘God-encounter’, a layer of the old is replaced by a new belief or action, proving transformation.
Let God’s love continue to transform you!
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© 2024, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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