Slow Down and Listen

So, I have a post about Bare Minerals...but I have to share this AWESOME story really quickly while it's fresh because it's crazy good!
While in Atlanta, GA some of my friends and I got the chance to meet and talk to several people that are homeless, give them some food, and got to know them a little. (God did incredible things that day, but that's a whole other story!) Since getting back, I have been praying for the 3 people we met and knew by name and was asking God how I could continue to help others all around me that are in similar situations. I know without a doubt that for YEARS I have been the Levite passing by the beaten down and needy. What am I - scared they'll hurt me? Isn't my God the God of the Universe? (Colossians 1:16-18) Why have I been afraid to stop and say, "Hello, how are you?" and then LISTEN to what they have to say? Anyways, so like I said, I have been praying that I wouldn't revert back to avoiding impoverished people and asked God how I could be in a position to help again.

He literally DROPPED IT IN MY LAP.
Never before have I seen my prayer answered
so fully and quickly!!

Tonight, 3 of my friends and I went to dinner to catch up and as we were leaving...I saw a man walking next to the restaurant. As he started to pass I said hello. Almost instantly I knew - he was IT. We stopped and began to listen to his story about being a Vietnam vet. from Maryland who is scheduled to start chemo treatment at the Hampton VA Medical Center here in several days. He said he is mostly blind and has cancer from the exposure to Agent Orange in his days of service. Eventually, we learned he was trying to find a way to get to the hotel he is able to stay at before starting his treatment. He has been homeless for only 8 days but looked like he could have been for months. So, we gave Deoxito Austin (pronounced Deeoseeto) a ride down Jefferson Avenue to his hotel and heard his story. Believe me, I drove as slowly as I possibly could! His testimony of God's hand in his life was remarkable and he had such wisdom to share. I wish I could write it all out here but I was trying to keep this shorter...He praised God for humbling him through the death of his son several years ago and of his wife last year. He said he ONLY lives for Jesus. I quote, "That's all I do, I wake up Jesus, walk Jesus, sleep Jesus, and do it again." His most pressing words to us were to let go of our pride because he wishes he would have sooner. Anyways, a much longer story short, my mind was BLOWN by God's plan and timing because Deoxito said he had been praying just several MINUTES before meeting us for someone to come along. We asked him if we could take him to Walmart or if he wanted food but he only wanted to get to his room to lay down. So we gave him some money, spent time in prayer with him, and then said goodbye. How BEAUTIFUL it will be when we see him in heaven!