He started off telling me how last Sunday while he was in church the pastor was asking the parishioners when the last time was that God spoke to them. He started to go into recollection as he sat there in the church pew but that didn’t last. God began speaking to him right then and there! In the words he received, my friend heard God urging him to set up an appointment for the following Wednesday with his pastor… 5:45 PM specifically. There was no argument. He immediately agreed to do as asked. After church he spoke to the pastor and made his request. I’m sure it seemed odd that he asked for such a specific time… but they agreed they would meet then.
The following Monday came and my friend was headed out to run some errands. One of the items on his list was a stop by the bank but as he arrived, he realized it was a holiday and the banks were closed so he drove on. It was then that he heard it. “Get a haircut.” That seemed silly. He’d had a haircut just ten days beforehand. “Get a hair cut. Get a hair cut. GET A HAIRCUT.” “OK, OK!” he responded as he began driving to his normal barber. The haircut was uneventful. He was still in the barber’s chair wrapping up when a man came in the door. He began talking to one of the employees loud enough for everyone to hear. “I’ve been coming here to get my haircut for 12 years. I can’t afford one today, but I was hoping you could give me one for free.”
This stranger continued on in the conversation. He began telling more of his story… about how he had lost his job… about how he had lost his home… about how his wife had left him… about how he had nothing and no one… about how he felt like killing himself AND he had a gun. My friend sat in the barber chair in astonishment but God told him to wait. As my buddy got up from the chair he walked over to where the man was now sitting… dejected and desperate. He told the barber that he would be paying for this stranger’s haircut. He searched his pockets and found $19. He gave it all to his down and out brother. The look on this man’s face was that of utter astonishment. He asked, “Are you an angel?” To which he replied, “No, I’m just a man who loves Jesus.” “Well then, are you a pastor?” the man asked. “No, I’m just a man who loves Jesus.” A few seconds passed and the man asked, “Then you are a prophet?” Once again, my friend clarified saying that he was just a man who loves Jesus.
The conversation went on and the stranger shared with my friend that he had been traumatized by some experiences he head in the Vietnam War. He described some of the circumstances and his pain. I’m sure he felt like my friend couldn’t understand… until he pulled out his business card and handed it to him. On it he had only two things. His name and “Disabled American Veteran.” When the stranger read this he crumpled. It was then that my friend restated his previous remark, “God sent me here with a message for you. He has heard your prayers!”
The conversation went on and by the time that this man left he was no longer a stranger. They had bonded as BROTHERS. When he arrived at this barber shop this man had no hope. When he left the barber shop he was FILLED with it. He was skipping and singing. It’s amazing how knowing that we are not alone can impact us! They exchanged contact information and my friend asked him to come to his church on Wednesday for a Bible study.
On Tuesday they touched bases. My friend had some job opportunity information he wanted to share. His new brother wanted to let him know that his wife had contacted him and wanted to reconcile their relationship! This was great news, to say the least and God’s hand was evident in it all. My friend confirmed their appointment for Wednesday, at 5:45 PM in the pastor’s office! That appointment sure came in handy!
On Wednesday my friend, this one time stranger and the pastor all sat down. They shared and they prayed. My friend describes this time as EXTREMELY powerful. God moved in every interaction that took place from start to finish… and now these 3 brothers were on their knees together before our Lord and Father committing their lives to HIM yet again!
During the time I was hearing this story, tears streamed down my cheeks… not just at the conclusion but throughout his retelling. At first I couldn’t understand it. He hadn’t told me much yet. I had no idea where the story was going… and yet I was crying. It was evidence that God’s Holy Spirit was moving in his words. When he finished, my friend stopped and said. “Now I have some words for you. HE wanted me to come to you and tell you this testimony. HE wants you to know that when you are at the end of your rope that you can LET GO. He told me to tell you that HE has heard your cries. He has sent me, your brother. I am your brother, not just for life, but throughout eternity. Someday you and I will be skipping on the streets of gold together!”
By this time I was blubbering. My friend had no idea what was going on in my life. He had no way of knowing that last week was one of the worst since I began professing the Good News out here. He had no way of knowing that I had been literally crying out to God and praying for relief from my anguish. He also had no idea that I lost a brother that was not just near and dear to me, but the nearest and the dearest. I responded to my friend as best I could through the deluge of tears. I said, “Do you have any idea how much what you just shared means to me?” I went on to tell him briefly about my previous week. We went to a time of powerful prayer together… and yet again, God healed my heart! To say that I am amazed would be a gross understatement. In fact, I am in AWE of HIM. I am very thankful for my friend and brother but I am most thankful to my Lord who heard my cries!
Today’s song is purely about worship. To the God who heard my cries, I stand in awe of You!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nqqROnPDi4
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