©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
The workman in our backyard held up a feather and pointed to it. “It’s a hawk feather,” I said through the glass in our sunroom. His eyes widened, and he pointed to the trees further back in our yard. I nodded.
He looked up to the sky hoping for a sighting.
I felt a nudge to go talk to him. But I needed to be writing, preparing for a retreat where I would speak about spiritual journeys, and God’s love and presence, and the joy and peace found in Him. I turned my attention back to the computer and the Bible next to me.
Nudge.
Okaaaaay. I gave in. I needed to toss some wilted flowers out anyway. Grabbing the vase, I stepped outside. He still held the hawk feather, examining it.
We frequently have two hawks in our backyard, I said, mentioning how I used to collect feathers as a child. The 30ish young man shared how he and his young son often go on walks in the woods, and that he wants to expose his boy to the outdoors so he will develop a love for it.
“You should take that feather with you.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“I bet your son would like it.”
By his gratitude, you would have thought I’d given him $100.
Nudge.
“It’s hard to imagine someone couldn’t believe in God when they experience all that’s in His creation.”
“Actually, I just started going to church,” he said. We talked a little more, and then I let him get back to work before he got in trouble with his supervisor.
A couple of times throughout the workday we had time to visit briefly. A proud military veteran, he told me he’d developed a drinking problem, and consequently his marriage broke up. Now he was working on staying sober and being a good dad, so that’s why he decided to go to AA and church both. I shared about my brother’s alcoholism, how God impacted his life, and how he became a mentor to others struggling with addiction.
After completing a program at a Christian rehab center, Terry felt God’s call to encourage and support other men fighting the battle so he volunteered to teach classes, lead Bible studies and even initiated and conducted scholarship drives to raise funds for those who couldn’t afford to go. Through his efforts and enthusiasm, Terry touched many lives before he passed away months prior to my encounter with this young man.
Nudge.
I knew I was supposed to give this man a book but which one I wasn’t sure. I began to pray God would reveal it. And, then I saw it. A book my brother had been excited about and wanted me to read. But I never had.
The guilt, the sorrow, the heartache hit hard.
No. I couldn’t give that one away. It had been his. Terry wanted me to read it, and I hadn’t.
The book connected gospel principles and Bible verses with the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). My brother and I could have discussed it rather than having him tell me about it briefly – if only I’d taken the time to read it.
I wrestled over giving that book away, but the nudge of the Spirit was strong.
Sinking to the floor against my bedroom wall, I began to skim read page after page. Tears rolled down my cheeks. Oh, how I wished I could talk to my brother about the book. The shame and sorrow of not taking the time to do something so simple that he’d asked weighed me down.
But I knew what Terry would do. And, I knew what God wanted me to do.
Asking for forgiveness, I thanked God for what He’d done in Terry’s life, and for this opportunity; then I raced outside to give the earnest young man that book. As I handed it to him, I explained that the book had been my brother’s, but I knew God and my brother would want him to have it.
It was if Terry’s efforts continued.
In my heart and mind, I asked God to use the book and the words of Scripture in that young man’s life, and thanked God for saving Terry’s life and using him in the lives of others.
As I turned to walk back toward the house, the phone in my pocket vibrated.
I pulled it out, and read and reread the text, stunned at the timing.
The text informed me that the recovery center had established the Terry Farmer Scholarship Fund, named after my brother.
I gasped – and then smiled – at God’s timing.
When we let go of our time, our shame, our pain – and even our possessions – for His glory and the good of others, God can fill that space to overflowing with His joy and peace. And, He can grow the gifts we give so that they multiply and touch many others with His love.
Another of his (Jesus’s) disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:8-11
- What action has someone been asking you to do but you’ve been putting off?
- How can you honor the life and legacy of Jesus this week? Be specific.
- Is there anything you’re holding on to that is holding you back from being closer to Christ?
- What can you give up – or release – this week that will help someone else – or yourself?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:11-12
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™
*Scripture references are from New International Version (NIV)