Heart of God
I woke up at 10 AM this morning. I checked my bank accounts and found that some money had settled in my accounts that I had overlooked and now I only need to make $35 by tomorrow to pay the bills that are due and my rent. And, I can concentrate on paying May's rent until the 30th, when my health insurance is due.
Yesterday, once again, God heard my prayer from yesterday morning.
As my day started, I picked up a medical transport arranged through Lyft. It was a lady and her daughter, who had autism.
On the way, the lady apologized to me that she did not have money to tip me with. She had seen my sign on the back of my seat for people who had rides that were arranged by someone else yet still wanted to tip.
My sign says, " tips are not required. But, they are greatly appreciated! Cash app me at $ShondaPonder"
I told her I understood hard times, I just came out of some, and I was still trying to catch up on my rent due to car problems. I told her I appreciate the business, so I am not sweating a no tip ride.
She said she really appreciated my service, and that the driver that they had earlier was really creepy and made them feel uneasy. She said it felt good to know that there were drivers like me out there who made them feel comfortable and relaxed.
Seriously? My car runs good. My radio is on K-Love, and my car is clean. I try to be friendly with everyone, and I always lend a hearing ear. That's all I do.
An hour and a half later I received a $6 cash app tip from the same lady.
At lunch time, I ate at McCalister's, because I didn't have anything in my home to eat. I had tuna and chicken for salad, and some BBQ Beef for sandwiches, but no bread to eat it with. So, I ate out.
As daylight dimmed, I hit a pot hole on the way from dropping a customer, and it irritated me, so I contacted the Arkansas side city managers office. They were closed but I left a message on their machine saying that I did not appreciate all the potholes that were on Arkansas side I cannot afford my car to be messed up by their lack of doing their job. I named off a few of the potholes that concerned me and said I did not appreciate my car being tore up when I use it to make a living with.
I feel like if they are not keeping the roads safe they are not doing their job, and as citizens of the city, it is our duty to let them know that their job is in danger if they don't do their job.
Close to the end of the night, I picked up two ladies who were noticeably tipsy. I dropped them each at their own destination.
After I dropped the first one, it wasn't hard to figure out what the two of them were about.
The first thing she asked me is, "Are you gay?"
I didn't have my radio on for some reason. I think I had just forgot to turn it on.
I said, "No, I am not gay. I love Jesus too much."
She said, "Have you EVER been gay?"
I said, "No, I have not. I have always loved Jesus too much. Are you?"
She said she was, but not really.
I said, "I'm sorry." It befuddled me that she didn't know how to "identify" herself. And, she wasn't a kid. She was an older lady. Older than me.
She said, "I tried being gay, but I just don't think it is for me. It's not me. And, I've tried praying, but nothing comes out. I just don't know how, and I don't think it is for me."
I told her Jesus loved her just as she was. The question is, can she love Jesus in spite of herself? I told her I was a ragamuffin and explained that to her. I told her that being good and perfect was never going to happen, the best she could do would never be enough. Her only option was to accept that Jesus loves her, and then get to know Him because of it. And, the more she got to know Him, the more she would come to love Him. And the better she would become.
She was sobbing when she got out of the car. Tipsy people do that...but I also know Jesus had something to do with her "conviction".
I've had another fruitful day with Jesus behind the wheel today.
I'm starting to think that His presence is so strong in my vehicle that people just can't help but feel it. Even when there is nothing to make them think that I am who I am. The music wasn't even on. I have no "Jesus" bumper stickers or signs. It was just me and her, and obviously Jesus, as I drove her.
And, I got a $5 tip.
I went to the store before I went home and bought a few groceries, then I went home to unwind and watch "Ghosts" on the computer.
For those of You who are confused about me saying I am a "ragamuffin"...
Here is a great link to read that explains it much better than I can. Click HERE
Lord, Holy and Good,
Thank You for, once again, giving me the opportunity to witness of Your love and grace. I pray that I have even more opportunity to do so. I want to be a part of bringing a little bit of Heaven to this earth while I am still here.
Keep me sustained and healthy and safe as I go about my business. Be with the lady who needs a kidney, the autistic mother and child, the lady who is conflicted about her sexuality and the lady who's father has Alzheimer's. And be with all of those who I cross paths with today.
Be with my children and my lists.
Lead me, guide me, show me the way.
Thank You for giving me the income I need to pay my bills and I pray that You continue to do so.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayers, and just for being who You are.
I love You, too.
In Jesus's Holy Name, I pray, Amen!
1 John Chapter 1
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.