Rev. Stephen P. "Gutty" Gutridge

Rev. Stephen P. "Gutty" Gutridge
This blog is my comments on current cultural and church happenings along with answers to your questions. I will make an honest effort to answer everything you ever wanted to ask about God, faith, the Bible, Jesus Christ, etc.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

God Moments

This morning I took my wife to the orthopaedic surgeon to schedule arthroscopic surgery for her knee. We then went to McDonald's for soda and a time of talking and devotions. I asked Paula's input about what I should preach about in several weeks. We talked about it, Old Testament, New Testament, etc. All the while there was a precious older woman sitting at the neighboring booth quietly eating her breakfast. Occasionally she would say something about breakfast or McDonald's verses Cracker Barrel.

Then it happened. She revealed that her husband had recently died. Paula politely asked, "I'm so sorry, when did this happen?" Her reply, "Yesterday at 5:00 a.m."

We went into instant ministry mode. We learned that he had been sick for some time and that his death was not totally unexpected. Her daughter was with her when he died. Her family was now gathered at her home and she escaped to get her hair done and then quietly slipped into the McDonald's booth across from us to have her Egg McMuffin.

We had a wonderful time of prayer with her standing between the two booths and then she was off to her very busy day.

Here we were immersed in our own issues when along came someone with needs that made ours pale by comparison. Thank you Lord that we did not miss this important ministry moment.