This article is about my best friend. She is a wonderful Christian woman whom God has used many times to help others turn their lives around. She has special talents, one of which is being able to talk to anyone. She doesn’t know a stranger. She has a bold love for God. She is also ready and willing to pray for you in the middle of any store if you act like you need her prayers. But there was a time that God ask her to do something that was almost too much for her.
Gin and I lived in the same apartment complex, only different buildings. In her building on the other end straight across from her, lived a couple. They were both very unfriendly people, especially the lady. The man did not look at people quite as mean as the lady. Even after a couple of years there was never any contact. Actually they seemed a bit hostel to us as we would get together to go places or visit at her apartment. The other lady living there also, added fuel to the fire by talking every time anyone went in or out of Gin’s apartment. Gin would try speaking when she first moved in but as time goes by, one just decides to pray for that person and just doesn’t try anymore. I am afraid I was guilty of the same thing.
One day Gin called me very upset. She had felt like God had spoken to her, telling her to do something and she did not think she could. As she proceeded to tell me I began to understand. She said God told her to visit the man. The man had been diagnosed with cancer about a month before. The prognosis was bad. There was nothing they could do and he did not have long to live. We knew he was not a Christian from the language that lingered quite often when they were out. I ask what she was going to do and at first she said that she had just simply ask God, ” God, do I have to?” She was crying and shaken, but being the woman she was she would not refuse God anything he told her to do.
For anyone out there that may not understand, God does indeed speak to us. Somewhere deep within your spirit you will feel and hear what you think God wants you to do. Or he may answer you when you have been crying out to him. It is not an audible sound. It will come from within, and only if your in a relationship with God.
It wasn’t long after that Gin went to visit her neighbor. She told me she knocked, the lady answered the door with a very surprised look on her face. When ask if she could visit with the husband, she paused a little surprised, but said yes. The first visit went well and Gin ask if she could come back again, he said yes which began a good friendship.
No one ever visited this poor man. He was in his room day after day with only Gin visiting. Knowing Gin the way I do, I know the first visit she probably took his hand and prayed for his healing and for God’s will in his life. When you have a close relationship with the Lord, there are times he will expect certain things from you. Many times when we hear stories like this, they will inspire us to do a little more thinking about our own relationship with God.
To understand why God works the way he does, I would like to say that this man and woman did not have anyone coming to their house to see them about Jesus or Heaven. Also, they had children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, as happens so often, no one ever visited him but Gin. As she got to know him through many visits she talked to him about his soul. As God already knew, he needed to repent and turn his life around. Gin was able to lead him to Christ. There wasn’t that much time. I can not remember right now how long but it seems like he did not live but six months after she started visiting him. He turned out to be a very appreciative friend. He thanked Gin for taking the time to come and talk and pray with him. And just to listen as he talked about the way he felt.
Things changed some between Gin and the lady. They did get on speaking terms but once the husband passed away, she was not needed any longer. The lady never sat in on these visits, nor did she sit in on any of the prayers. Gin was sent there by God to lead this man to Jesus. She did not want to because of the situation as it was, but stepped out in faith knowing that God would work it out. This man could have slipped away unsaved if she had not obeyed God.
It is very important that we keep our relationship with God where it should be. According to the Bible we are to “be still and know that I am God.” God knew that would give him an opportunity to speak to them. We have to be a willing vessel for God. Our job is not to just go to Church. There is so much more. Our families, neighbors, and friends should be our prayers every day. We cannot push anyone to do what they do not want to do or do not understand. We can, however, pray for them and others.
Since this incident, God has put two more men in Gin’s life and spoke the same thing to her each time. “Go and tell them about me.” All three men had cancer and it seemed that no one cared whether they went to Heaven or not. God knew that Gin would care. It may sound a little scary to you, but if you go in faith believing that God will give the words to say, he will. Leave it to him. Faith will cancel out fear or worry.
In closing I would like to say that I am very proud to have a friend like Gin. She was a mentor to me for a lot of years and is the best friend I have ever had.
Sources. Holy Bible
Patricia Burke