this is what it sounds like.

When God speaks through you.

When God speaks to you.

When you get to be a part of someone else's miracle.

It was 11:50am, and I was getting ready to head out to the gym to meet with my trainer and friend.  I was running behind on getting dressed, as usual, even though it's Saturday morning and I hadn't really been that busy.  I always lose track of time on Saturday mornings.  It must be the ability to relax or something.

The phone rang, and I hesitated answering it.  I was running late for my appointment.  I didn't really have time for this, and was already going to be a few minutes late.  But, I answered anyway.

I was met with tears on the other end.  My friend was in trouble.  Spiritual trouble.  Physical trouble.  Emotional trouble.  Marital trouble.  She had reached a breaking point, that I had all but expected.  No, not that I wanted this to happen.  But, just as I have watched myself run into the "guard rail" a few times, I knew that she had already been struggling for days, weeks, months, years.

We talked for two hours.  During that time, I felt God's love.  I felt God's love for her, but what I really mean is, I felt God's love for her.

His love was flowing directly through me.

Hard to describe.  Even harder to understand.

I encouraged, listened with my heart, offered wisdom, challenged her thinking, spoke in undiluted truth, shared my hurt, shared my joy, interrupted, asked tough questions, gave tough answers, offered guidance, prayed.  Two hours later, we had talked through the worst of it, and she felt strengthened.  She would make it through another day.

Not because my strength.  Because of His.

When we hung up, I knelt down, face to the floor, tears streaming down my face, and asked God, 

"What just happened?"

It took me a little time to regroup.  I mean, God just used me.  I wasn't expecting it, but I had asked for it.  I ask for it many times.  "God, just use me."  God uses us.  He surely doesn't need us, being God and all-powerful and all-everything, but He uses us, and it's an honor.

I collected my thoughts, and opened Praying God's Word Day-by-Day, by Beth Moore.  I wasn't really ready to distract myself with normal tasks of the day just yet.  I wanted to bask in this wonderful feeling that I got to be a part of someone else's miracle.

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That was meant for me.  That was meant for my friend.  I can comfort because I have been comforted by the Comforter.  I can encourage because I know the Encourager.  I can offer wisdom because I turn to the One who holds all Truth.  I can share my hurts and my joys because He turns my miseries into ministry!

Amen.