When God Talks I Listen
A Spiritual Experience Today
When I first drove in the driveway I noticed a car sitting in the area where the veterans are buried. There is a bandstand there where they have ceremonies for Veterans Day and other times to honor the veterans. There was a young man sitting there silent and pensive as a sentinel. He may have been doing the same thing that I was doing. He might have just been enjoying the peace and the day. I had the urge to talk to him, just to see if he was okay. I am not the only one who walks there and I have never felt the urge to approach someone before.
I felt like God wanted me to talk to him. I wasn't going to listen. I continued the drive to the other end of the cemetery and walked my dog for about 20 minutes. I told myself and God that if he were still there I would stop. I figured I would make a fool of myself but what the heck. When I drove back through he was still there. I parked my car and walked through the veterans tombstones and heaved a big sigh. He probably would be offended or angry. Maybe he was a serial killer like Ted Bundy. I had my dog though and even though she is less of threat than I am, she could give the appearance of being one.
I approached him and asked him if he was okay. I don't even remember what our exact words were but we talked for about a half an hour. He was despondent but I don't believe suicidal. He was a graduate of college and had no job. He was living with his parents and the living arrangements were dysfunctional. I shared my story with him and he told me that he had similar things in his background.
I told him if he ever needed to talk that he could call me. I left feeling like I not only helped him, but maybe I helped myself even more.
Less than a year ago a friend of my daughters went to a cemetery, not this one but one in the area and killed himself over the grave of a friend of his. No one was suspicious of his depression. No one had a clue. It was a an avoidable tragedy. I am glad that I listened to my heart or maybe it really was God.
Published by Shana Dines
Shana is an award winning artist. Her specialty is pastel portraits and watercolors. She has illustrated a children's book and has written and illustrated one now in publishing. She is a Christian but believ... View profile
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20 Comments
Post a CommentThanks Crystal and you are a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. .love shana
One more thing... I wanted to end my comment with something more positive. I really do think that God sent you to help that person. Thanks for sharing what I call a 'God moment'. I've had a few myself, and they really open your eyes and confirm that someone much greater really is guiding us throughout our lives. Thanks for sharing this!
I agree with you completely, Secret. I also let God judge others and the faith they choose. By Terri beginning with the phrase, "You say that you are Christian" is a way to pass judgement, and it's wrong. If Terri really wants to help someone, that isn't the way to go about it. God knows what's in your heart - not this anonymous guest. Chances are Terri is a phoney name, and chances are this person is a fellow writer. If that's the case, they shouldn't have been ashamed to login before posting. It's the fanatics that really turn me off. They're not helping anyone - only boosting their own self-righteous egos, and I'm not afraid to post that while logged in.
I let God be the judge of others and their faith. It is not my place or anyone else's to judge another's faith or soul. Thanks for your input.
You say that you are Christian, but that is not the only way to the one true God. If you are a Christian, that means Jesus Christ is your only savior and is the only way to God. As a human, Jesus Christ is the only way that we can get to God, through forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ, ONLY! I just wanted you to know that so that you are saved!
You should feel good that you took the time to talk with this man. It probably made a difference.
I'm glad you listened to God instead of worrying that you may invade someone's privacy. I'm sure you helped him more than you will ever know! Thank you for sharing.
So glad you listened - too often we don't and miss an opportunity for God to use us. Thank you for sharing this story with us!
Glad you listened to God and to your new friend.
Fascinating. The impact of a chance meeting between two strangers...