Unexpected Blessing

Joni Canastraro / Graphic Designer

Photo by Amanda Jones on Unsplash

A few weeks back, I had the privilege of volunteering with a group of friends at the Buffalo City Mission. We walked in and several of the men were waiting for us in the hallway outside of the cafeteria where we were told to set up the games and snacks we brought.

My friends and I each sat down at a table and the men sporadically filled the empty chairs. I played simple card games and told them some corny jokes which set the mood for their personalities to come alive. Soon, I had nick names for some and a feeling of comradery quickly developed. At some point I turned the joking into a God-moment when I said, “we all have a story and City Mission is not the end of your story.” I told them God had a plan and a purpose for their lives and shared a little bit about how God had worked in my own life. 

The gentleman sitting next to me had a relationship with the Lord and told me his story. He has a family out of state and hopes to reunite once he is back on his feet. I prayed with him, which he was so grateful for. To my surprise, he turned the prayer around and prayed for me. He touched on things that I did not share; God put on his kind and gentle heart exactly the words that would minister to me in a way so unexpected. I was so touched by this humble servant of God who owned nothing but the clothes on his back. But he was rich with the knowledge of his Savior and lived with the hope of a better tomorrow and the promise of eternity.

I drove home thinking about that unexpected blessing and thanked the Lord for showing me how His love is boundless. He took two total strangers and touched their hearts at the very same time. What an amazing God we serve!