The strangest of days.

I had the strangest of days. I went to town for an appointment. They said there was a scheduling error and no sign of there being an appointment booked. As I sat in my car for a minute, checking my phone, a lady came up to my window and asked for a ride to some place I did not know. I said I wasn't going that way. It sounded like a pub. She said she was cold and trudged off.
I was going to drive away and get on with my errands but instead, drove around the block and picked her up. I felt like I would be missing a chance to minister to someone and remembered my own words from my last post here. I had to only drive her one more block but gave her a chance to sit and warm up. I asked about the place she was going. It was a shelter. A place to get a coffee, some breakfast, and do some laundry. She told me that she had had an accident in her pants and then smiled a dirty, toothy smile.
I felt the need to give her something. I had no money in my car. I took off my fleece sweater and gave her that. I had two sweaters on. Maybe now she won't be cold. But even more so, maybe she'll remember the love of a stranger and the faint lyrics of a worship song about a God who cares. It was just a few minutes of my time and it is not for me to know if she was praying for help, or how my actions turn out, or if she even cares at all. I do know she was asking for warmth though and searching for something to give her, I ended up giving her just what she asked. Meeting her need.  
It was like God was calling my bluff. Well, not my bluff I guess because I am not bluffing. The eyes of my heart have been opened to a ministry of women. A ministry of encouragement. I am more than excited. I am willing to be used. It brings me full joy. I was thanking God all the way up the street.
And there is more that went on in my day, but the rest is for me to take in for now. I am looking back amazed. I posted a post about this and made a resolution to wake up in the morning prayerfully. I often wake up in the morning to chaos- a puppy getting loose, potty issues, the sound of cereal pelting the laminate floor. I always go to bed, sitting awhile to pray. I want it to be when I lay down and when I rise. I pray often throughout the day but I want to ask for opportunity to be used of God.
It is funny that when I left that woman at the shelter, I had thoughts of going back there and going inside next time. I thought about our food bank at home and thought it would be better to go in there, but weird for me because I know people there. Same thoughts that are confining. Poor strangers are easier to help. They can't hurt you, embarrass you, and when you leave, you don't have any responsibility for them. In your own town you have to see people you know and when you leave people will watch you, will talk to you when you're tired, will know you are not perfect.
I have some great memories that I love from when I was younger and my aunt and uncle ran a soup kitchen of sorts. I loved being there. Helping people and having fellowship with all sorts. My uncle used to sit and play the guitar for hours. I would sing along with him. I would love to do that myself. I used to lead worship alot. I learned the guitar because I could take it anywhere. Maybe it even had a little to do with my uncle and these memories, now that I think of it. Anyways, I am glad that God gave me this chance, however little, in my out-of-the-plan day. I am not writing about these things to brag but to glorify my God who answers prayer and to thank him that I am not "just a mom" anymore. I am not stuck here until someday comes. I have purpose right where I am....