There are a few things that make me uncomfortable. One is when someone drives in the lane next to me, speeding up and slowing down as I do and just won’t let me have my road space.
Another awkward thing is when someone sings to me, you know – when someone knows all the words to the song, and then he looks you deep in the eyes and sings as if the words are to you? This hasn’t happened much, but when it did, WAY awkward. Also, once a guy sang “You’ve Got a Friend” to me over the phone. It was excruciating.
Before I get to the point, I need to explain that when I haven’t been daily seeking God (DAILY is a must for me) even my theology reverts. I catch myself pursuing a works-based righteousness, begging God to make me good enough to stand before Him, wallowing in my multiplying sin. This is where I’ve been lately, not remembering and repeating truth. So wouldn’t it be just like God to make me a tiny bit uncomfortable to set truth off in my mind like a firecracker?
I was at Sam’s with a cart-full of cheap crackers, and right up next to me walked a younger man in a Razorback tracksuit. If we were cars, I’d obviously be the mini-van, and he the souped-up mustang. He was all up in my personal space singing deeply and then with all his vibrato, he shook his words up high, and that’s when I heard the word, “wisdom,” and I knew it then that he was singing to his Jesus, reminding himself of the truth. He was saying “thank you.”
So I loosened up a bit, thinking he was in my space because he’s having church, and sometimes you just don’t get personal space at church. He’s not aware of me. I think I closed my eyes for a second, and we’re both still walking together. I’m pushing a cart. I relax. I think about how sad I’ve been. I slow down. He moved forward a bit, and then he stops and turns around to face me, and he said, “You know that Jesus loves you” and I nodded Yes, and then he turned around and walked away.
Just like that. Jesus is the center. Hear it now. Jesus is the good. He is all righteousness. Credit Him for the great work of redemption He’s finished. Credit Him daily.
Hear it now. Sing it down the isle. Whisper it on your last day. Tell it even to complete strangers.
Jesus loves you.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Lovely post. What a nice moment. Thanks for the reminder.
this makes me quiet. thank you.
Amber, thanks for sharing — Jesus definitely wants you to know He loves you, sending you a young crooner straight at Sam’s! LOL.
“If we were cars, I’d obviously be the mini-van, and he the souped-up mustang.” Hey, that me at Costco over her in Californee! Thanks for my morning laugh here in the dark (early baby feeding…hello!).
I’m wanting some of that “awkward” Jesus moment…. I’ll keep my eyes peeled!
AWESOME story. Thanks for taking a moment to share. It is good sometimes to hear sisterhood throughout the world experiencing the same sufferings and receiving the same grace. Yay!
Wow. I’m speechless.
Wow…this really has me thinking on So many levels! Like you, I’ve been in a weird place just blah. Its nice to know I’m not the only one who struggles like that. But then, super cool that God just showed up for you in Sam’s, momcart and all….even cooler though is a buff young man singing HIS praises as he walks down the isles!!!!! I wonder what would happen if we all let our guard down and did that every once in awhile….we know Jesus loves us, but how many people come into our space every day that don’t know that for sure? Wow!
I LOVE THIS!!! Thank you for sharing how God showed up!
Those things make me uncomfortable too. Ugh. So did your words. Which means I need to find my knees on carpet, I think.
Awesome! Why not just tell a total stranger! Pondering…..
Hugs,
Traci
Needed this today. Thanks Amber.
What a beautiful moment. Perfect reminder of how God loves to surprise us, bring us back before Him, using simple means.
Words for my soul today. I so needed you to say this to me right now. I love you.
Sing it. : )
(that’s okay, right? if you do the singing? or is that awkward too ; – )
I can’t take people singing to me either!
But really, what an incredible moment to have. It’s amazing how they happen when you need it the most. Like someone knows or something
Y’all, I’ve scoffed at the people trying to “minister” on the strip where people walk out of bars. “What good are they doing by saying Jesus loves you, and aren’t people tired of hearing that but not seeing it in the lives of believers?”
I guess the point is By George, if it’s in you to sing, then you best sing! The Spirit dwelling in this fallen body is already altogether uncomfortable. We may as well get used to awkward until we glovefit into our new bodies.
I guess that’s the point.
I sit here crying over this post…pain and awkwardness need to get back to the backseat where I, in apparently a zombie-like state, put Jesus instead. I’m the same way, one day without Him in center, driver’s seat, and suddenly the legs are wobbly and the soul’s purpose gets cloudy again.
I had a dream last night that I told my gran, who does not know Him, that Jesus loved her. In this dream she was dying, and I asked her if she believed that Jesus died for her sins. In real life I’ve never had the courage to ask her, she doesn’t like me much and seems “content” (in a miserable way) to keep to herself. Says she is stick of hearing “bible bloviating”. The dream had me so peaceful and unafraid and actually — not in “me” at all, but looking to Him to handle it. I was shown quite literally that I can talk to her (and those like her) and Sing as often as I feel like it. And maybe it won’t always be so awkward.
xoxo
Oh girl, this is it.
Steph
What a poignant moment! It’s wonderful that you were able to share it, unknowingly.
Go tell it on the mountain….but also to everyone you meet!
Singing it down the aisle! And praying no breaking glass is left in my wake…
Wow! I love it when God speaks to us in unexpected ways. This guy was definately “in tune” and following the great conductor. Thanks for sharing the story. I’m touched and convicted at the same time, thinking I need to be so much bolder, and much more aware of His leading. Blessings!
I had a guy read me “How to Win Friends and Influence People” over the phone….think he was trying to tell me something??? we are no longer friends. BUT….I love your entry for today…so sweet to trust in Jesus.
Oh thank you. You are a lovely writer. Good to come across your work.
Thanks for sharing this moment from your day.
Hi! I’m new to runamuck… but so enjoy your writing and especially loved the sweet message behind this post
I am so excited to have stumbled upon your blog and LOVE this post. I am a new blogger about to launch next week and am grateful to have found some other God-focused bloggers. Love finding Jesus in the everyday – He so uses moments like this to grab our attention. Great post!
You have put into such perfect words exactly the way I feel and react when I have not been taking time to really just be with the Lord.
I love it that He is never willing to leave us there – no matter what it takes to get our attention. I love it, too, that some of us just love Him so much it has to jump right out of our mouths!
You know, I so badly want to be one of those people who can say, “You know, Jesus loves you” to complete strangers, but I know the moment “Jesus” and “love” come out of my mouth, I’m too choked up and teared up to continue.
Praise God for firecrackers.
You got it. And I’m getting there, I really am (trying). Glad I scrolled through your site today – I had missed this one.