A blessed encounter

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" Matthew 7:7-8

God answers our prayers however, it is in His timing and when they are aligned with His will.

Our God is a God of Love.  I have felt led to share this story, praying that it will touch your heart as it has mine.

It all started a couple weeks ago on a day that I was kid free, I stepped into a coffee shop.  Sat by the window, sipped my coffee and had a heart to heart with Jesus.  

My prayer was long, but the moral of it, included bravery and courage.  He has blessed us with a platform to share our story with others, but when it comes to making decisions in life or having a voice while witnessing to others this is where I feel I struggle most.  My prayer ended on me asking Jesus to show me what it looks like to be brave and courageous.

I finished my last sip of coffee and stepped outside.  

I remembered I needed to pick up a card for a friend.  There was a Papyrus store a couple blocks down right where I parked, so I started to head that way.  A gentleman came walking by me and I was surprised that he passed me up so quickly, it was clear that he was completely blind.  As I watched him walking in front of me, I thought to myself,  thank you Jesus.  You have instantly answered my prayers.  I think I have struggles.  Here is this man who is completely blind and yet he is taking on this city with no fear.  He walked into a couple things, but continued on as if nothing was in his way! 

To my surprise he walked into Papyrus.  I overheard him tell the girl at the front desk that he was hoping to get a card for his wife.  She said, oh they are behind you over to the right.  He said, in a sweet and funny tone. I'm sure you noticed, but I'm blind.  Could you help me by reading them.  I couldn't help to giggle.  At that time I wanted to walk over and help read the cards and share with him how amazing I thought he was, not to mention I liked his sense of humor and most importantly wanted to share about how he was an answer to my prayer, but I chickened out.  

My car was parked right outside the store, so as I was getting settled in I thought to myself,  "gosh, here Jesus is... so loving by showing me what brave looks like and I cannot even be courageous in going up to that person and sharing what I wanted to share with him!"  A moment later I saw the tip of the cane, the guy was walking out of the store, my heart stopped.  His face looked like it had been severely burned.  He had skin completely covering one of his eyes and you could tell his beautiful other bright blue eye had a film over it.   My heart dropped, then started pounding.  I couldn't tell if it was pounding from what I was seeing or if it was the usual pounding that I feel when I am being prompted by the holy spirit.  I opened the door, stepped out and then thought about it and sat back in the car. What would I say?  He already made a difference in my life, that is enough right?  The pounding in my heart intensified, so I stepped out of the car and followed him.  He was approaching the light and I thought…if it turns green and he walks, I turn around and head back to my car,  If it turns red, then our conversation was meant to be.  The light turned green, but he was just standing there.  Of course he was!  He was blind, but he could feel people walking past him couldn't he, so why did he stop?  My guess, he was a man that was put in my path for a purpose and we were suppose to meet.

There I was.  I found myself standing right there in front of him.  I gently touched his arm and said, "excuse me"

the rest went like this:

man: oh I'm sorry, I'm blind I didn't see you {as he laughed}

me: oh no..you are not in my way, I actually wondered if you had a minute

man: sure  {we both stepped aside}

me: well, I would like to start off with, I love your sense of humor, don't think I'm stalking you but I was in the store with you and overheard your funny remarks

man: that's my goal - to make people smile

me: I just wanted to share with you that 5 minutes before seeing you, I was praying about being courageous and brave and then there you were!!  an example of both.  You are so courageous to be out and not only that, but you are brave in walking these busy streets.  {then I paused, completely embarrassed by what I said} I continued on… I'm sorry.  Courageous to be out..you are probably thinking what does that mean? I do this everyday.  Brave yes, courageous?  {I was embarrassed because I quickly thought to myself, he has no idea what he looks like, this probably was not a compliment} 

man: {as he gently placed his had on my arm} I think you are courageous for coming up to me and sharing what you did, I understand exactly what you mean. 

me:  {tears} 

**our conversation went on for 5 minutes.  I then stepped over the line again (shocker)

me:  do you mind if I ask what happened to you?  

man:  {placing his hand on my arm again} this has been way to beautiful of a conversation, so I rather not share at this time.  I was 4 when it happened and  It's quite disturbing, but know that through it all I've been lucky to have an amazing mom who always encouraged me and told me I can do anything I want. Giving up was never an option for me.  I am married and now have children and life is great. 

me:  What a blessing to hear!   feel so blessed by our encounter today and it was more than a pleasure meeting you, by the way my name is Terra

Josh:  my name is Josh and the pleasure was all mine.    

We hugged and parted our ways.  As tears were in my eyes I was thinking..The bible is full of people that showed great courage, but God gave me an example in the flesh.  How blessed was I! 

It was not until I came home and googled "Josh burned at 4" when I realized the horrific story.  Josh was 4 years old and his neighbor (who was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia) came to Josh's house rang the doorbell and when Josh stepped out he poured acid on his face. Josh has been through even more than what I had imagined.  The pain and heartache he and his family faced is devastating. The story is heartbreaking and will deeply move you.  As horrific as the story is, the outcome is beautiful.  Do yourself a favor and read more about Josh.. He is amazing!!

To read his story, please click on "About Josh"

About Josh

Josh Miele

"I want to be famous for the right reasons, for the work I’ve done, and not for some stupid thing that happened to me 40 years ago,” says Joshua A. Miele.

I'm not sure if Josh knows Jesus, of course I have prayed for that.  I'm not sure if we will every cross paths again, but one thing I do know and that is, my Jesus put us together that morning.  Through meeting Josh I was blessed beyond.  

His time, His Will.  So thankful for this blessed encounter.