you keep using that word, i do not think it means what you think it means. Safeway Gas, Eagle River.

This morning i stopped at the Safeway gas station in Eagle River, (Carr's for those of you who like to hold onto the past). i paid with cash so i needed to go inside to pay, surprisingly after i filled up, you don't see that much anymore. Anyway, Jim, the gas station attendant was slow to get up and informed me that his back was hurting. i then asked him if i could pray for him, his response, "sure go ahead, but it aint gonna work." As i thought of a response he continued, "I have a friend who had 7 back surgeries and none of them worked. I told him he was going to the wrong place. He need to talk to God about it. You know he did and a couple of days later he told me that God had healed his back." i don't know if people know who i am by just looking at me or what but he then went on to tell me about how he was brought up in the Catholic Church and he went there up until about 5 years ago. He has only been back for the baptism of his grandson. He told me about his kids and church for a good 30 minutes pausing only to help the few costumers that entered the little station store.

He kept on using the word condone, "God's not gonna condone me for not going to church" or "God's not gonna condone my step son...". As he was using the word i figured out, at least i am 99.99999% sure, he meant to say "condemn" "He made us, He isn't going to condone us." And yet his use of it perhaps divinely inspired, he just hasn't realized it yet. Even still, as soon as i figured out what he was trying to say that line from Princess Bride began running through my head, "You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means." i didn't correct him, i didn't want to squash the Spirit or our conversation, he was being open and honest with me about his feelings and that is far more important at this point.

The more we talked the more he began to remember of God and His faithfulness. i was going to go to Starbucks for coffee but decided that my time would be better spent in this little store, so i grabbed a cup and filled up with some Seattle's Best from a pump thermos. It was a truly divine conversation, with what i hope ends up being a Kingdom outcome. Towards the end i went to pray with him but a large group of workers came in and he politely wrapped up our conversation. As i walked out i said, "it was good to meet and talk with you Jim, i will be praying for you." He responded with a wave and a "thank you." 

Driving away i was reminded of Philippians 4:4,5

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near." The Lord is truly near. i was in awe of how quickly Jim turned from God not being able, to God is the source of all things just by talking about Him and allowing Jim a gentle listening ear. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again i will say rejoice!