Waking up that rainy morning, the struggle became more intense. Over the previous days, discouragement began creeping in as the enemy tried to gain the upper hand. “It’s not going to work, it’s not what you think, this is all for nothing, there’s no relationship, there’s too much distance, too many miles, too many other responsibilities. Long-distance relationships don’t work, never have, never will. God is fooling you. She’s been on a few one-and-done dates since moving to Washington. She told you about them. At least they are near, but you, my friend, what can you do, what can you offer? You’re hours away! “Come on, be honest, you can’t give her what she needs or desires.” Talking about being punched and feeling the effects!! But as always, “God has a purpose; God has a plan!”
Later, as I drove to work, my GPS rerouted me a different way. Taking a different route meant I wouldn’t be stopping by my favorite RaceTrac gas station for my morning coffee. I was a little discouraged, because it’s one of the better ones around. It’s always well stocked, the employees are friendly, it’s clean, and their coffee machines are always working. Maybe having a police station, city bus depot, and city sanitation department within walking distance has something to do with that. Thankfully, both of my alternate routes have a RaceTrac along the way. (“God has a purpose; God has a plan!”) Pulling into the parking lot, I noticed a homeless man entering the store. As I headed towards the coffee section, he was standing at the last coffee machine (there are five in total), filling a cup he brought in. Stepping towards the third machine, He turned, smiled, and said a few words. I grabbed a cup, selected the flavor and size, and waited as it dispensed. “Hey, hey, are you going to pay for that?” I heard from a distance. He never turned around. I turned to make eye contact with the cashier. I asked softly how much for his coffee, upon which she signaled, Never mind. Turning to check my coffee, Kathy stepped between us, resting a big box between her and the counter of the fourth coffee machine. Looking towards the homeless man, she repeated, “I got toiletries, I got toiletries, I got toiletries!” as she looked in the box. My coffee was now ready, and like that, she was gone. Turning towards the kiosk to flavor my coffee, I lost track of the homeless man. As I headed towards the counter to pay, I noticed him again. He was walking out and back into the weather.
Heading towards my truck, I noticed he was wearing only one shoe. A sock covered his left foot, which was overlapping and saturated with water. As he slowly walked through a large puddle, Kathy came out of the store with the box. Again looking towards him, she walked towards me, repeating, “I got shoes, I got shoes, I got shoes.” As she set the box between us, I shifted my coffee to my left hand and placed my right arm under the box to give support as she looked for shoes. Turning to get into my truck, again, she was gone. And the homeless man had walked off into the distance. At that moment, God reminded me that there is no need to worry about anything; he will supply all our needs when we make serving others our priority. “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13 NIV
Labor with the Creator 