The story rewinds. Last Wednesday, the Hoxworth local blood center called me to ask me to participate in a nearby blood drive that following Monday. I haven't given in a while, and they can always use my blood type, O-. So, I set an appointment for Monday after work.
The Lord has recently been placing on my heart to focus on today. Just as Matthew 6:34 tells us, "therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Working full-time, support raising in the evenings and weekends, and trying to pack and plan for a two year transition takes most all the hours in my day. Come evening, all I want is sleep. Most days I do not even have time to respond to all or do all I should. I do what I can and say, Lord, show me what you want for me today.
With that being said, on Monday when my donation appointment was scheduled, a few unexpected tasks arose. I thought, "Lord, I can't accomplish all this, so what do you want?" I called to cancel my blood donation as it was less a priority. Next thing I know, the lady says, "there is another drive tomorrow nearby; think you can make that?" I reluctantly answered yes as I felt guilty for turning down that day. So I scheduled for the next day.
Driving home from work that afternoon, I had an 1.5 hour commute, not wanting to stop to donate blood before I got home as I already left at 6:30a.m., I said to myself "it is the right thing to do and you already made the commitment." I stopped in.
The donation went well. A needle smoothly did its job and a pint was donated. Nothing eventful. Well minus the phlebotomist that asked me, "what is your gender from birth?" which gave me quite a shocked response. How sad that it is to know how they must ask such a thing anymore. Regardless, all went well.
After the donation was over, I sat at the table as they handed me apple juice to replenish my sugar levels and fluids.
As I was sitting at the table in the basement of a local catholic church, I noticed the Hollywood decorations all over the room. Why is this basement decorated like a Hollywood themed prom? I looked over to the kind man who handed me the juice and asked the reasoning behind this. He shared this was their annual fundraiser themed dinner this year. Our conversation continued. As I was leaving he said, "be sure to come back in October to donate here again!" I commented that I would be out of the country and in Serbia by then but wished him a great turnout. "Serbia?" he asked. "Yes, I will be going over to work youth as a missionary," I added. Then his face changed demeanor.
I love the "excuse" to bring up God as I share about what I will be doing in Serbia. Being in a catholic church, I couldn't help but wonder His beliefs on our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. I seize the opportunity to share that it is one for the most exciting times to be in Serbia as Serbians come from an atheistic and now Serbian orthodoxy background. I said, "Serbian youth are tired of rituals, of doing these traditions their family pass along, yet they have no clue why they are doing these things." His eyes and head tilted. I proceeded to share "yes, they love when I share who Jesus is, how He died and was resurrected for their sin, and why these traditions are not necessary or required from the Lord." As I continued to share (very indirectly) the similarities of Serbian orthodoxy and Catholicism and while sharing the Gospel, he just listened. At the end, he almost seemed dumbfounded but thanked me for my donation and best wishes to the journey ahead.
God is cool! If I had gone Monday, I would have missed meeting this gentlemen. How cool. I pray this impacts his life for Christ's glory. Please pray that with me.
A needle, apple juice and Hollywood all lead to sharing the Gospel. You never know how God uses each detail.
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