After traveling and running errands all day, John and I still had a four-hour trip to get home. We were both hot, tired, and hungry. It was around 8:00pm and we decided we better get something to eat before the restaurants close. I did not want fast food again, since we had already done that once that day. We pulled into a Denny’s.
There were two women sitting in a booth, and two older gentlemen sitting at the bar talking to the two waitresses. The young red- haired waitress seated us. As we looked at our menus, I was overhearing the conversation between the two older men and the waitresses. They were talking about many of the “regulars” who have passed away in the last couple of years, and how they missed them. Apparently, another one of the “regulars” was fighting cancer and they were going to go visit him.
When we ordered our food, I told the young ginger, that we had two granddaughters who were also gingers. I showed her a picture of both of them. By this time, the two women who had been sitting in the booth were gone, and the two older gentlemen had just left. Both waitresses asked us how we were doing and if we needed anything. I admitted to them that I had overheard their conversation with the two older gentlemen, and I remarked that they seemed lonely. The two gals told us that there are several “regulars” who come in every day at least three to five times a day, just to visit with each other over a cup of coffee.
The older waitress told us she is working 3 different jobs. She had quit working at Denney’s for a few months, but realized she missed the “regulars” so much, she came back. We talked for a while longer, paid our bill, thanked them for their service to us, and especially being friends to the lonely. They both felt it was a privilege to work there, just for these people.
That encounter deeply touched me. I can’t quit thinking about it. I thought of my uncles who, for years, went to a local café early in the morning just to connect with the different men in the neighboring towns.
How many people are lonely, discouraged, afraid, and feeling helpless? How many people are shut-ins because of their health? How many stay at home, lonely mothers, who only see babies and toddlers all day long, and wish they had some adult to talk to?
I saw a quote just recently, that if you are lonely, you should go to a church. I thought of the many lonely people I know, who have been hurt by the “church” and want nothing to do with it. I have been asking the Holy Spirit to show me how I can be Yeshua to the people in my area. I want to have His heart for others.
I remember a pastor talking at a meeting I was attending. He told us that in his city there was a park, and it had become so overrun by gang members and drug addicts, that it was no longer safe to go there. He was complaining to the Lord about it, and asking what he could do about it. He felt the Holy Spirit tell him to walk around the park every night and ask for God’s heart for those young people.
He was obedient and did this for 40 days. On the night of the 40th day, a leader of one of the gangs taunted him saying, what are you doing out here for all these nights? The pastor told him that he had been praying. The young leader started asking questions and eventually gave his life to the Lord that night, as well as several of the other gang members.
I was so impacted by that story; I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to pray around the valley. I shared this prompting with several of the older women in our community. Many times, we drove through the small towns in our valley asking the Holy Spirit to bless the individuals in each house, that everyone would come to know who Yeshua was and how much He loved them. We prayed that they would fulfill the plan and purpose that the Father had for them. It wasn’t too long after that, that someone moved to the valley, and asked John to come on Sundays and preach. We started meeting in different individuals’ homes. Then a Community Center was built, and we met there for several years.
Later, one of the congregants received an inheritance, and he had a church built for a place to meet. One of the widows in the valley started a Ladie’s Luncheon once a month. An invitation is sent out for anyone who wants to come to a certain restaurant at 11:30 is welcome. Another widow has started a Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings to bring produce, baked goods and crafts to sell. That has been a huge success. She also has opened the Community Center every Tuesday, for a few hours, where many of the valley residents meet for a potluck, play cards, share books and stories.
As we ask the Holy Spirit to give us His heart for others, He will bring opportunities for us to bless others. Let’s ask Him where He wants us to participate with Him, to help bring His kingdom to earth. I believe He will give us ideas and the means to reach those who are lonely, discouraged, and lost. In the meantime, a smile and a kind word to anyone we meet goes a long, long way to brighten someone’s day.
Joie Conrad
BYNA Elder
