The bladder was full…..
and when you are driving through the roads of Northwest Oklahoma a bathroom can be difficult to locate. After driving for a while, I finally found a quick stop off the beaten path. I walk in, do what I need to do, and then exit the building. As I leave, an old rancher from the area stops me on my way out and says, “Hey there! I haven’t see you around here before.”
I replied, “Well sir, I’m not from here. I actually live in Shawnee.”
“Shawnee?” He responded. “What are you doing all the way up here?”
I told him, “Well I was doing a presentation up here at a school. I am a motivational speaker and preach from time to time.”
Then the Lord led me to ask a question that seemed to come out of nowhere saying to the man: “In fact, sir, do you know who Jesus is?”
He looked at me and said, “Oh yes sir! I wouldn’t be here without him. In fact, most Sundays if you don’t find me at my own church, I’m either at my son or daughter’s church.”
I then asked, “Thats wonderful, so Jesus is living in your heart?”
He then went on to say, “Oh yes son. Everything I am is because of Jesus.” He paused as I noticed tears began to form in his eyes. He then went on to say, “Matter of fact, Jesus has meant more to me these past 3 years than ever before. Lost my wife to cancer and Jesus has gotten me through every single day since then. He’s been by my side through it all.”
I patted him on the back and said, “Brother, I bless you in the name of Jesus. Thank you for sharing your faith.” And then we both went our separate ways.
None of us are exempted from trials or struggles. Every human faces adversity to some degree. I bet we could all share a time of difficulty we have been through. But for those in Christ, we have a hope that is brighter than the darkness our struggles bring about. When bad times come, it’s easy for our flesh to throw in the towel and to block out our faith. But this man is an example of a heart abiding in Christ. If there is anything I have learned in my walk with Christ over the years it is the lesson that He is with us not only in the good times, but also in the bad times too. Who is your heart abiding in? It reveals who and what we put our faith in.
Looking back I’m glad I stopped where I did, because now I can Praise The Lord over more than just a much needed pit stop, but another person sold out for God and another heart abiding in Christ. It was very clear how much Jesus meant to this man, the question is, however, “How much does Jesus mean to you?” #PraiseHimAtThePitStop #AbideInHim
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” -John 15:4
Brandon Baumgarten 