Your Name Spoken to Help Speak of You
As we were getting ready to drive out of the state, we stopped at Trader Joe’s to pick up some things for the trip. We were in line to check out; the cashier was a young man whom I have been telling about Jesus. I thought that I was going to have the opportunity to talk with him again, although, I knew that it was not going to be easy.
As we were waiting, another man came by, took our grocery cart, and said that he could check us out. So then I thought maybe it was this man to whom I would talk about Jesus. The man was very calm, so I relaxed and began to think about talking with him.
I was in so much pain, though, that I could not even begin to hold a conversation. But I was also at peace. I thought, “Well, Lord, I just could not put forth much effort today.”
When we were walking out of the store, I thought, “Well, Lord, I guess you said no.” Then I recalled that I had forgotten an item. I told my husband and went back in. When I was checking out, both of the male cashiers were leaving their posts. A young girl came to check out my items. She was very sweet and pretty.
I didn’t know how to start talking to her about Jesus. And I was in pain, so I could not focus. Then I heard a man behind me say the name, “Jesus.” I turned to look at him. He was the cashier behind me. I looked at the young girl and said, “He just said, ‘Jesus.’” She smiled. I repeated, “He just said, ‘Jesus.’”
She smiled and said, “Yes, he did.”
I asked her, “Do you know Him?”
She began to sack the items and said, “I am Catholic.”
I responded to her, “As a Catholic, have you ever asked Jesus to be your very own Saviour?”
She smiled and said, “No, I haven’t.”
I told her, “Well, we are going to do that right now.”
She was still and said, “Okay.”
I continued, “Let’s pray.” We drew closer to each other.
There were no customers around. This was good. We began to pray. Then I noticed that a customer was just about to approach, but with the direction of the manager, the woman decided to go with him to help her check out.
The young cashier and I continued to pray. It seemed as if all was standing still for a moment. There were no customers near. This was God’s choice to give us time to focus and pray clearly.
When we were done praying, the young girl was at peace, still and in awe. We talked about reading the Bible. She looked very seriously into my eyes and with such peace was at a loss for words, as joy began to well up inside of her. She was saved! She had the most amazing peace and said, “Thank you so much. Thank you so much.” And we hugged.
“Lord, I wasn’t able to talk about You due to the pain I suffered. I had thought about those in prison for Your sake. They cannot escape their pain, nor do they have a way out. I must be able to endure in You. Give me endurance. Save me for Your name’s sake alone, that You may be glorified.
“And when I was going through that, You were after a soul, one that I did not expect, thinking that since I was not able to speak to the male cashiers, I had lost the opportunity. But You had one. How is it that You had a man speak Your name to help me speak of You? How is it that I thought of an item that I would enjoy having on the trip? You put that on my heart, just so that I could return to the store for You, because the Father was drawing a soul to know You as her Saviour.
“Your ways are not ours. Your thoughts are not ours. They are Yours alone!
Thank you for giving me stamina to speak Your name and witness this soul come out of darkness into the LIGHT—You Saviour of Souls!”
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psalm 18:30
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17:4
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 27:5
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.Psalm 29:11
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11