God's mysterious ways | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: God's mysterious ways | Previous Challenge Entry
By Charlotte Touchton
04/30/09
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God’s mysterious ways
Sharon and her friend Angie loaded the car with food and clothes to deliver to a needy family that the church had volunteered to help. They grabbed the directions that their pastor had written out for them and were on their way.
They turned into the driveway of a small, cottage house with a beautifully kept yard. The grass was freshly cut and there were several gorgeous flower beds decorating the lawn. On each side of the front porch were two neatly pruned azalea bushes.
They each grabbed a bag of groceries from the back seat and headed up the steps to knock on the door. A tall, burly man opened the door glaring at them through hard, angry eyes. “Yes.” He snapped irritably.
Startled, Sharon and Angie looked at each other nervously. “ Hello, I’m Sharon Guthrie and this is Angie Williams. We’re from Victory Baptist Church. We’ve come to bring you some groceries and clothes.”
His harsh expression softened briefly as he looked at the bags in their arms and back at them. He seemed about to accept the bags but then stiffened with pride. “Ladies, my family and I will not be needing any charity. Thanks just the same.” He grumbled, shutting the door, leaving them standing on the porch stunned.
“Now what do we do?” Sharon asked, bewildered, as they walked back to the car.
Angie thought for a minute and replied, let’s take this stuff back to the church and talk to Brother Gary about it. He’ll know what to do.”
They found Brother Gary in his office and told him everything that happened. He seemed as shocked as they were. “I’m sorry; I had no idea Mr. Hartley wouldn’t accept our help. Mrs. Hartley called yesterday and asked if we could help them. Mr. Hartley lost his job three months ago and is still looking for another job. They’ve been struggling to keep their bills paid. They’re running out of groceries and the children need new clothes.” He shook his head perplexed.
“That poor family; There must be something we can do to convince Mr. Hartley to let us help them.” Sharon replied full of compassion.
“Well, first of all we need to pray and ask God to show us what we should do.” Brother Gary said.
The three of them bowed their heads in prayer for the Hartley family and asked for wisdom and guidance.
A few minutes later they heard a soft knock on the door. Brother Gary opened the door and was surprised to see Mr. And Mrs. Hartley standing there.
“Hello, how are you? Please come in and have a seat” He said warmly.
“I’m sorry I was rude earlier” Mr. Hartley apologized clearing his throat nervously. His eyes weren’t hard and angry anymore. They were softer, with a painfully, desperate look in them.
“I’m really grateful that you wanted to help us. My pride just will not allow me to accept it as charity but if you would allow me to work for it somehow until I find a job I would be willing to accept it.”
Sharon thought for a minute and then said, “Mr. Hartley I noticed how beautiful your yard was when we were there earlier. Do you do your own landscaping?”
He smiled proudly, “Yes Ma’am I do.”
Brother Gary sat back in his chair with his arms crossed grinning from ear to ear. “Well now, the Lord does work in mysterious ways. You see, I’m in desperate need of a full time landscaper for the church grounds.”

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