MAKING A BIRTHDAY SPECIAL!
Written by Jerry Lewis, November 20, 2024
From Patrick .. I wanted to share this today, Debby’s birthday, so she could have a gift from Jerry!!! Love you big sister!
Good morning!
QUESTION: As we share this moment together this morning, I wonder, who have you spoken with lately that is not a family member or anyone you particularly know, but rather someone the Holy Spirit just helped you encounter?
Recently, Debby and I took our first trip, outside of going to Duke for the last five months, to go to Ray and Kelly’s in Ashburn, VA, to spend time with them and my two beautiful nieces, whom I deeply cherish. We were excited to take them to go to Lancaster, PA to watch the show about DANIEL at the Sight and Sound Theater. If you have never been there, PLEASE look it up and make a trip! It is an incredible experience!
While on the trip, of course, the girls witnessed “Uncle Jerry” interacting and speaking with a variety of people. Since I am unable to do much, I relish the opportunity of finding someone, anyone, who gives me eye contact, where I can simple ask, “How is your day” OR “ what brings you here?” My nieces asked Debby about it and she simply shared that Uncle Jerry never meets a stranger and they’re only friends he has yet to meet!
For me, it is so much deeper and wider! I cherish and love these moments. I actually do pray at times asking the Holy Spirit to move upon me or move upon the other person to link us together today, SO I CAN SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD WITH THEM! This is indeed one of my JOYS and it is so easy to do! Furthermore, I am always amazed now whether it is a lady or gentleman, how intrigued they are speaking with someone with a cane, or in a wheelchair, who is energetically asking about them! I hardly ever get turned away and they just start opening up sharing why they are there, where they came from, who their family is, and even sometimes how many children and grandchildren they have.
Not long ago we went to an Apple Store and it was crowded! As Debby and Ray were looking at some watch bands, I got tired and told them that I was going over to the waiting area, in the wheelchair to relax. In fact, I may take a quick nap. WELL, neither occurred! YES, I made it over to this ‘waiting area’ but within 10 minutes, a lady came over and sat down right in front of me. I was about to drift off until I saw her eyes. There was something there I knew, but did not know what, so I simply asked her this one question, “How are you today?”
WOW, if only you could have been there with me! That one small question led to an hour and 15 min. discussion where she DID MOST OF THE TALKING… yea, I know you find that hard to believe and it’s ok, ha! ha!
She had come there that day because it was her BIRTHDAY! Her husband was buying her the newest Apple watch. It was just recently released and that was the reason why so many people were there. She was told it would be a LONG WAIT, but being her birthday, that did not deter her.
SO THERE SHE IS, ONLY ABOUT FOUR FEET IN FRONT OF ME…AND OVER THE NEXT HOUR PLUS, I HEARD SO MUCH OF HER LIFE, hardly ever speaking myself, and was amazed at what was going on! No, I am surprised, and bewildered, as I try to stay awake as well as be attentive, which was not easy.
Halfway through, the Holy Spirit quietly spoke with me…she was LONELY! It was her birthday, she was happy to be there and grateful for the gift, but due to work and school, her husband and daughter could not enjoy the day with her. SO…the HOLY SPIRIT moved her, to me, to share this moment of her day. Just someone to listen, to smile, to affirm, to share with her and how precious she was. YES, you better believe it. I took a moment about halfway through to say the following to her. “As it is your birthday, please KNOW HOW MUCH JESUS LOVES YOU! PLEASE KNOW HE HAS A PLAN FOR YOU.” And then I made one more comment. “PLEASE KNOW HE BROUGHT US TOGETHER TODAY!” By now I knew this, believed it, but did not really understand….and guess what…that is ok!!
She simply smiles and shares that she is not religious, but looks at me and says, “This is indeed very interesting! And then she just begins to share other aspects of her life. It was amazing!
Yes, Debby had come over a couple of times to check with me and she was surprised at how much the lady was just talking! Debby knew I was in my element, as I would just smile at her, and she patted my shoulder and went back to the line for the watchband.
Well hallelujah, the lady’s name was finally called and up she went…only to turn around and come back to me and share, “Thank you so much. This was a most awesome conversation. Thank you for making my birthday occasion a special one!”
Even today, I wonder how she is doing? I wonder how the HOLY SPIRIT may still be at work in her life. Why?…because as she left, I prayed for her!
You see, our Heavenly Father has reminded me of this powerful truth that ALL believers MUST remember, cherish and share as we interact with others..”
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
I did NOT KNOW IF THAT LADY WAS A CHRISTIAN OR NOT…I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW! WHY? BECAUSE I JUST SAW A “CHILD OF GOD” BEFORE ME!
PONDER THIS WITH ME: Are we as excited, as Jesus, to help bring others into the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father? When you are out shopping, are you attentive to the ‘children of God’ around you with whom the HOLY SPIRIT has set up for YOU to share HIS LOVE WITH? Are you willing to RISK? Are you willing to sacrifice some of your time to be a blessing to a stranger, one who’s a child of God, even IF they do not know God?
Perhaps none I encounter ever give their hearts to Jesus that day? But they heard about the Jesus that I know, and I pray that God will continue to work in their hearts. I have deep confidence that He will!
