MINISTER'S MOMENT
Sharing our personal stories of God's worok
CHARLOTTE AUSTIN

As I sat at the restaurant table across from my friend, I got caught up in her nervous energy. She was struggling with many painful problems, and that particular day had been especially difficult. She was a Christian, but she had little sense of the Lord's provision. I wanted to tell her to trust the Lord, but words of consolation stuck in my throat. I didn't know how to break her anxiety.

Silently I asked the Lord for help. A few minutes later I began telling the story of how the Lord had answered one of my prayers within the last couple of days. My friend listened. I explained how God met needs that I could not handle. Still my friend listened. Then she began to relax, and so did I. Together, we sensed anew God's ability to answer our prayer and work in our lives.

I left my friend that day reminded of something that I had forgotten. Scripture encourages storytelling as a way of giving witness to God's faithfulness and as a way of helping others.

The personal stories of God's work in our lives are powerful reminders of what the Lord can do. And sometimes our accounts of His ability to meet our needs will help to meet the needs of others.

Father, Help me to remember that the blessings you give me and the answers to prayer you send are not for me alone. They are for me to use to bless others. May I never use your goodness to brag about what you have done for me but to encourage others about what you want to do for them. Amen.
Rev. Charlotte Austin
McCary's Chapel United
Methodist Church