I was working in my study the other morning and the Lord impressed upon me that I should leave for work earlier tnan usual.  This would give me some extra time to talk to someone on His behalf on the way.  Who?  I did not know.  I hopped in my car and I was on my way.  As I drove I prayed about where I was to stop and who I was to talk with. This gas station?  No, the tank was nearly full. The donut shop?  Nope, there would be no donuts this morning.  I finally decided to stop at a coffee shop that I frequent on a semi-regular basis.  I figured I would go in and buy a cup of coffee and prayerfully let the Lord lead the conversation.

When I pulled up in the parking lot, through the window I noticed a new guy working the counter.  He must be the one I am supposed to visit with!  I eagerly got out of the car and as I did, my heart sank.  I had left my billfold at home and I didn’t have any money to buy any coffee.  I got back in my car and drove off. I figured the Lord was trying to teach me a lesson.  I had left the house without my billfold, I was unprepared to do what He wanted me to do.

Then it dawned on me. He did not ask me to leave early so that I could buy coffee.  He asked me to leave early so that I could speak to someone on His behalf.  I did not need any money to do that.  What was it Simon Peter said?  Oh yeah, “Siver and gold have I none, but what I have I give to you…”

I turned around and drove back!  I went in and the man asked how he could help me.  I told him I didnt have my billfold and I shared my story and asked him if had any prayer requests.  You guessed it, he did.  I talked to him briefly about God’s faithfulness and promised to pray for him. When I left he offered me a free cup of coffee and some other goodies which I respectfully declined.  The lesson for me was not that I should not leave my house unprepared but that I should always leave prepared to do exactly as God has asked me to do.