Half a mile away from my workplace, I felt a nudge in my heart, “Go to McDonald’s.”
I didn’t need to buy breakfast. But the wee, small voice did not go away. Was this my imagination? Was the Holy Spirit nudging me to do a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) this morning?
I checked my wallet while waiting for my turn at the drive-through. Thirteen dollars.
I glanced at the SUV behind me, two occupants. My money would not be enough. I could pay for part of their order. Cash in hand, I responded to the voice asking me what I was ordering,
“I’d like an Egg McMuffin, please.”
“Would you like to buy a second one for an additional penny?”
I thought for a second. A penny more, why not?
I purchased two.
Steering the car toward the cashier’s window, I noticed a man sitting down by the corner of the building. He looked disheveled and haggard.
“I have an extra Egg McMuffin. Would you like it?”
He nodded.
“Meet me at the other side,” I told him.
He stood up and made his way there. By the time I turned the corner, he was there. His smile and big “Thank you,” when I handed him the bag, made me recognize this was the reason God sent me to McDonald’s.
This incident happened to me two years ago, but I think the lesson I learned is relevant not only then, or today with all that is going on in our world, but for all times. We are made to support and love each other (Luke 10:27). The present health threat is all of our problem, not just those in distant shores, not just the vulnerable, not just the medical personnel, or those who have been affected by it. It affects us all. Yes, although right now we have to distance ourselves socially, we cannot let physical isolation separate us. Though we need to quarantine ourselves from one another for now, we have a more powerful spiritual connection especially through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. We have one of the most effective tools at our disposal—prayer!
Let’s ask ourselves:
- What can I do to help even when I am confined at home?
- Who is hurting, sick, alone, fearful, whom I could message, call, or email?
- How can I support all the medical personnel, men and women in uniform, and those others in the front lines?
- Besides praying for our entire world, our families, our relatives, who else can I specifically pray for?
God provides us opportunities to be His hands and feet.
Our part is to be perceptive and obedient to God’s leading even when what He asks makes little sense. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). His perfect plans are in place and He is in control. Let’s choose faith and not fear, peace and not panic.