Christmas 2012

I prayed this December that God would show me how he wanted me to serve others....and He is!

As I was reading the Psalms, I kept feeling a prompting to open my home up for a drop-in.  A place where women could stop in and have cider, to pray and a place of rest during the busy shopping season.  I kept getting the word, "fortress", as I was reading scripture.  This word was impressed upon me in the sense that my home was to be a fortress.  As I was mulling the idea over, unexpectedly, a priest I work with, Fr. Guidry, told me a story about how his dad opened their home every December for anyone that wanted to stop in, have homemade coconut cake, a little peach brandy and visit.  He said his home was always full of people all month long, just coming and going.  At that moment, I felt God was confirming to me that he wanted me open my home.

I didn't want to do it!  I was afraid.  I was afraid to send out a bunch of invitations and then have people not show up.  I didn't want to have to tell anyone, when they asked how my party was, "No one came over."  I finally obeyed God in fear and faith and e-mailed 65 people. 

The party was set for 9 a.m.  I had out my nice china, wassail, chocolates, Christmas music was playing and candles were lit.  By 9:30 no one had arrived and I was crushed.  I could feel the tears in my eyes as I prayed for God to protect my heart.  

 God moment #1:
 At 9:45 my doorbell rang.  A  friend was standing on my front step.  She said, "Is there anyone here?"  I told her that no one had come.  (yep- I felt like a loser.)  She said, "I didn't want to come over today.  I don't want to have to socialize with a bunch of people.  But I need to talk to someone."  I invited her in and with great emotion, she began sharing with me devastating news that was happening in her life.  After an hour passed, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had given her the gift of a "fortress".  A place of safety and rest.  

The night before, I had printed out 'Love Letters from God' for each of my guests.  There lie the 50 letters untouched on my table.  I said to her, "This letter was meant for you.  In it is scripture reminding you how God loves you.  Don't you realize that God prepared this time for you?   How awesome is that?"   

She cried.  I cried.  Awesome God moment..

God moment #2
 My second guest rang the door bell 3o minutes before my 'party' officially ended. As I invited her in to sit down, my phone rang.  "Safe Families" was on the caller I.D.  Our family had been waiting months to hear the news that we were registered as a safe family for at risk kids.  As I answered the phone, the Safe Family social worker said, "Bridgette, all your paper work is finished except for 1 thing.  We need a friend to give your family a reference before we can place a child in your home."  There stood my friend next to me, just at the right time, to give a reference to the social worker over the phone. 

God moment #3:
 I was in Starbucks waiting for Hannah to get out of dance class.  2 ladies walk in and sat next to me.  One lady turned and said, "Are you Jewish?"  The other lady looked at me and said, "Of course she isn't!  You can tell by looking at her!"  Before I could even speak up, one of the women started telling me how a Christian acquaintance of hers said that the Jews were responsible for killing Jesus.  They then both stared at me.  REALLY God!  You just sat 2 Jewish women down next to me at Starbucks that had questions about Christianity and I never even approached them.  They listened to all I had to say and wanted to see me again the following Wednesday to talk more. 

All I can say...God is awesome.

Stay tuned for more of December 2012 God moments.