My whole body is so sore in need
And the more I look upon my aches
The sorer they seem, the sorrier I feel
For poor helpless miserable lonely me!
Despair was my neighbor until
The day I chose to look beyond my sores
To reach out to dress another’s with care:
More than I could give, so much more
Than the one I stretched out to help
I was the one who found the comfort
That eluded while I stared at my sores.

 

We live in a very needy world where we all battle never ending needs. Engrossed in our cares, we miss out of life and we miss out on God’s purpose for us. But whenever we choose to look away from those things that eat us up, to look up to God, to look out for another, God works wonders in us and for us. I get into these random assignments where I sense a leading and step out, with no destination or inclination of what’s up in mind. I just follow my heart or rather what I consider the leading of the Holy Spirit at the time. Through these errands, I have seen and learned and know that God can use anyone to reach everyone that He needs to touch. If there are limits, we are the subjects, not God. It teaches me to never tire as I stretch my faith toward God no matter where and how I find myself.

 

Not long ago, I stepped out and walked to the closest bus stop. A bus came along and I got in. It was far from fancy but in this part of the world where I am right now, that is what the general public ride to and from their businesses each day. These buses are far cries from the convenience and luxury you ride in developed countries. They are rickety, often with dented bodies, ripped seats, glasses gone and transparent water proof materials used as replacements. The drivers are unschooled. The majority of them have no clue about traffic codes and road etiquette. They learn on the job, by being conductors to drivers, until they can be trusted with a bus of their own – that is the step up in their career.

 

I learned that the buses are on loan and each driver has to return a certain amount on a daily basis otherwise, he stands the chance of losing the bus to another who can meet targets. Consequently, these drivers can sometimes appear as demons on the highway, with absolute no regard for rules or safety. In fact, I discovered that the majority of times, they are driven rather by the pressure to make satisfactory returns, to make whatever they can for themselves, and by ignorance of road rules rather than defiance as many quickly conclude. And all these at the expense of the safety of the driver, his apprentice conductor, and the varying classes of passengers that patronize their services. Marry these facts to bad roads and many similar drivers on both private and commercial vehicles and you have constantly sweltering tempers and clashing conditions. You cannot imagine the madness; spellbinding to behold, scary to experience, amazing in a bizarre kind of way.

 

I have recorded a couple of rides and each is a unique bundle of stories. I will reserve those for another day. On this particular ride, a young man sitting next to me appeared distraught. Stories of scam abound in town about these rides but his anxiety appeared genuine. He put through a call to someone, explaining that he couldn’t make an appointment or so; that instead, he was heading back to where he had boarded an earlier bus because he had forgotten an envelope in it. The envelope contained original copies of his certificates, drawings, among other things. It appeared he was speaking to the Architect who owned the drawings because he was inquiring if the phone number on the drawing was functional.

 

When the other party confirmed that the number was valid, the passenger requested the Architect to alert him if anybody called with respect to the missing envelope. He went through several calls and at some point got agitated. I could pick that a Good Samaritan had found the envelope and called the Architect. He requested the Architect to send the phone number of the Good Samaritan via text message so he could make contact to meet up and pick up the item. At this time, he had moved up front to a roomier seat where a passenger just disembarked from. He bent toward the lady beside him and muttered some words no one else could hear into her ears. I noticed the lady shook her head, unvoiced version of, “Sorry, I can’t.”

 

I understood what must have transpired between the two. He was stranded, he needed help and immediately I knew: I was on that bus because of this young man! It dawned, God was reaching out, all the way from heaven, to show this gentleman that He knew His need before it came up and that He had prepared and sent help His way. God had ensured that young man did not miss the help he so desperately needed at that point in time. I have been called an angel a couple of times but as I reached into my purse that memorable day, I realized that God can reach anyone, good and bad, and though they appear as angels and saints, He uses each to accomplish His purpose.

 

I knew what I had to do. I got the money out, waiting for opportune time so I don’t attract unnecessary attention to myself or the young man. As the bus slowed down at a particular bus stop, he heard a conductor screaming the exact location I had heard him repeat when he spoke with the person who found his missing ware. He picked up his bag to jump out, I reached out, passed it on and whispered, “God wants you to know that He loves you and that He cares.”

 

He flashed a smile, muttered, “Thank you,” and jumped out, clueless of what was in his hand. Of course he could feel the crispy notes but as I sat there amazed, I wondered what he would do when he unclasps his hand to discover that not only did God meet his need, He probably surpassed it; that a situation which seemed so terrible at the time has turned out a point of God communicating His tender love, eternal care, and watchful attention upon His own. I tried to imagine how it must feel when you have reached your end and suddenly, out of nowhere, God reaches down from heaven and bumps you with astonishing surprise. I smiled as I got off at the next stop – my assignment was done.

 

Of course the young man would never recall what I looked like, neither will I but the relief I saw in His eyes when the notes touched his hands turned my heart to sweet jelly. I tried to imagine how our Father would feel about the delivered message, and what could be going through the young man’s heart at the time. I have been there myself, in the middle of a fix, not knowing what to do, and without asking, help lifts my limp hands; O the surprise, the wonder, the gratitude; all beyond telling!

 

Each time God sends me out of my way for some stray souls crying out to Him, I realize that more than the one I reached, I am the one most touched. I am continuously amazed that like pieces of puzzles, God juggles our willingness and obedience to fruitful ends that beat our imaginations. Like chess, He moves us, from one point to the other, reaching, touching, teaching, and filling a world that appears not to care, with His loving-kindness.

 

Such encounters teach me that no matter what I am going through, no matter where I am and how I feel, God knows. His eyes are on me. I am constantly in His mind and He is weaving circumstances, using people I may never know, every moment of every day, to reach out and touch me, to teach me to know that He cares specially for me. I know I am not the only one experiencing these little mercies of the mighty God. In this beautiful season, I pray that you will not miss those little notes of love that Abba passes to and through us to a world crumbling in desperate needs, amen.

 

Glory!