“I Like Your Earrings!” and Other Gospel Conversations

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[Written last Saturday]

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it. – Isaiah 30:21

My usual earrings are a modest-sized pair of little crosses that on close inspection each bear the word “Faith.” But yesterday I was drawn to another, more flashy pair, even though I was wearing my usual everyday jeans and a long-sleeved gray t-shirt that declared in somewhat muted red and blue, “America Needs Jesus.”

I had my reasons. On my list of mundane errands was “VOTE.” The way I see it, voting early is prudent, in case something “comes up” on Tuesday. (If something had “come up” yesterday, there would have been Saturday and Tuesday; hence my motto, “When in doubt, pick the earlier date.”) So, I impulsively donned these earrings, “just for funsies.”

After voting, my last mundane errand was to pick up a few things at the grocery store. On my way out, I was approached by an attractive young lady who asked what internet provider we use. As it is, we have one for Kentucky in the winter and a different one for Michigan in the summer. Me, I just click on the buttons and use it… Embarrassed to admit I didn’t know, I just said, “We’re happy with what we have, thanks.”

“I like your earrings!” she exclaimed as I started to walk away.

“Thanks,” I said, grinning. “I voted today.” She seemed impressed.

“I’ve been thinking about voting for the first time,” she said.

“Oh, you absolutely should!” I admonished emphatically.

As I walked to my car, I could feel the urging (of the Holy Spirit?) saying Go talk to her! Having just posted on my blog about the importance of voting, I knew I wouldn’t be at a loss for what to say.

When I walked in again, she recognized me and smiled. As I walked up to her, she looked at me curiously and expectantly.

“I just want to tell you three things,” I said, holding up three fingers. I hadn’t mean to get into “lecture mode,” but she seemed to recognize the retired teacher and smiled, ready to humor me.

“I just posted on my blog about this, so here goes …

“One: according to the Bible, whole civilizations have suffered the judgment of God based on the actions of their leaders, which they had no say in choosing. We do have a voice, so how much more are we accountable?

“Two: You may not want to vote for ‘the lesser of two evils,’ but it you don’t, you leave a vote for the greater of two evils unchallenged.” At this point, she said “the greater of two evils” along with me. I knew she was on board, so I continued …

“And Three: If you don’t vote, you forfeit your right to complain.” She laughed and nodded her agreement.

“You’re right,” she said. “I’m going to do some research and vote!” (I was very happy to hear her say she was going to do her homework before casting a knee-jerk vote!) “By the way, what’s the name of you blog? I want to read it.”

I was surprised that she had picked up on that throw-away line at the beginning of my “mini-lecture.” She was about to write it down, but I said, “Here, I’ll just give you one of my cards.” I dug one out of my purse and handed it to her. She took a careful look at it and was curious about the book pictured on the front. I told her it was my book about prayer and the hindrances to it, according to the Bible. She seemed interested.

“I’ve just been into that for a few weeks,” she said.

“You’re a new believer?!” I exclaimed.

“No, I’ve always believed, but I’m wanting to take it more seriously now.”

I asked if she’d like to read “BARRIERS.” She said she’d love to. I told her I might have a copy out in my car, and I’d be right back.

“I’ll be here,” she promised.

On the way to the car I prayed that I would have a copy with me – if it was God’s will for her to have it. It must have been, because I had one copy left. I wrote her a note inside and brought it back. She seemed thrilled and said she would definitely read it!

“Can I hug you?” we both said simultaneously. (If that’s not proof of a “divine appointment,” I don’t know what is.) We laughed and hugged accordingly.

Earlier that day I had been frustrated trying to find the place to vote, since I had never voted early there before, and apparently my GPS had never heard of the building. When I’d caught myself grumbling, I’d given the attitude to the Lord. I didn’t want to show up to vote in a grumpy mood, especially not with my t-shirt saying, “America Needs Jesus”!

Besides, I’d known for a long time that God’s timing is perfect, and when it doesn’t line up with mine, it means He’s up to something! It keeps life interesting, even when I’m just doing mundane things. Which might explain why I sometimes feel excited, but if you were to ask me why, I’d say, “I have no idea …”

I have never been a missionary, never even gone on a mission trip, for reasons I won’t elaborate on here. But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t direct my steps.

(My last three “divine appointments” have been at a gas station, a salad bar, and a grocery store.)

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, thank You for using me, although I sometimes look at “giants of the faith” and envy their platforms. I wonder sometimes, “what if …?” Forgive me for the times I’ve underestimated what You can do with me, right where I am. May I anticipate today – and every day – with the thought, “What if I were to assume I am exactly where God wants me?” Amen!

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Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

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27 thoughts on ““I Like Your Earrings!” and Other Gospel Conversations”

  2. I’m glad you got to make this connection.

    I once read an article or watched a video of a doctor talking about how she works so many hours helping to save people’s lives and help them get into better health, that she only has time and energy to be at the hospital and then go home and eat, shower and try yo get some sleep. Can’t remember if she had a husband and/or children. But that would take up more of her time if she did, right?

    She admitted that she didn’t know what was happening political wise and she didn’t vote because she was too busy. I also was a 15-17 year old American citizen at one time and was not allowed to vote even though I wanted to, at the time. So. does that doctor and myself not have a say (complaints) in what goes on in our country because we were not voting?

    I refuse to vote for the lesser of two evils because I then am held accountable for voting for them even though I knew they had evil intentions.

    And I believe our voices are being dismissed because the politicians are going to do whatever they are wanting to do, and Yeshua gives them that prerogative. Case in point – in my own city, the voters voted against adding fluoride to our tap water – THREE times – after ten years of voting no, our city officials did it anyway, because that is what they really wanted. They just wanted to put the “blame” on the voters and since the voters did not follow their true desires, they eventually went around the voters. So they now have to foot the blame themselves, but its such a minute topic that no one really cares. (except maybe me and my husband?)

    Almost lastly, the decisions are made by electoral votes which can take 100,000 votes (yes or no) to get the next electoral vote. So if your vote is #50,000, it goes no where. AND they then still don’t have to follow the voters wishes, which then again, makes the votes useless.

    Prayer is thee best voting measure. And doing that in tongues is the very best, as then Yeshua is doing the praying and He knows exactly what is needed. IMO, people have the freedom to disagree with me and let me know.

    Continued Yeshua’s Blessings on you and yours and on this lady at the store. Hope she joins our conversations here.

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    1. I guess I should have said if you don’t vote out of laziness or apathy or desire to avoid responsibility. It does bother me that the most responsible citizens seem to be the ones who are busy making a living and raising children, while the most vocal may well be the ones with the most time on their hands. I agree that there are too many leaders ignoring the wishes of those who elected them – or who got into office illegitimately. Maybe our voices aren’t being heard, but does that mean we stop speaking, or we should speak louder? Every individual has to answer that question for him/herself. As I wrote in the preceding post, pray, vote, then pray some more. Prayer is definitely the most important. When we get on our knees, God will hear us, even when we don’t know what to say (hence, the prayer language). But once we’re on our feet again, He may give us an assignment, so we should be listening for His voice, as well, and be ready to follow orders. If we all let our views be known, we may see there are a ot more people on our side than we thought, and there’s power (and encouragement) in numbers.
      Blessings to you and yours, too. And yes, I hope the lady at the store joins us. (Are you there, Maria?)

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  6. I love your forthrightness with the young lady about the three things, Annie. I also love what you wrote about doing homework before casting a knee-jerk vote! That’s what I was referring to in my comment last week about voting thoughtfully and carefully.

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    1. Amen, Keith. My daughter was doing an assignment for school where she had to ask 3 people what they were looking for in a president. One was a woman who was an officer in the Navy. She gave a beautiful speech about integrity and the willingness to take a stand for the right thing, etc. The next person she talked to just said, “Oh… I don’t know … umm … health care, I guess … ”
      After she hung up, I asked her, “Doesn’t it just kill you that his vote carries just as much weight as hers?” 🤦

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  12. Thank you for this little nugget tucked into your delightful, inspiring story: “God’s timing is perfect, and when it doesn’t line up with mine, it means He’s up to something!” I needed that, Annie! Also, kudos to you for going out of your way to minister to this young woman and give her one of your books. I’m thinking those seeds you planted will come to beautiful fruition!

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  13. Thanks, Nancy. Yes, I do seem to scatter seeds more than I bring in the harvest. That used to bother me, but it doesn’t any more. I just think I’m going to have a lot of fun running into some of these people in heaven someday and hearing about what happened. 😏😉

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