“The Unspoken Hand”
Merry Christmas to everyone! I know that during this time of Christmas there are wonderful times of joy, family time, creating new memories, and sharing; however, for some, it comes with times of uncertainly, loneliness, and great need. I pray that this message is an encouragement to all Marylanders.
1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you”
I would like to tell you my story. It was 1984, and I had just completed Marine Corps Administration School at Camp Johnson, NC. After 2 weeks of leave, I headed to my first duty station, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, CA. Since I did not have a car, I took the Greyhound bus from Merced, California to Santa Ana, California. My orders were to report by 12 Midnight. It was past 11:15 pm when I got off the bus, and it was pitch black with only a small telephone pole light at the corner. I was in full uniform, and I was carrying everything I owned within my green sea bag. I was shocked that the bus station was closed; however, there was a pay phone nearby so I called the duty officer thinking they were going to pick me up. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I called a cab and after about 20 minutes it arrived. The driver got out and opened the back of the cab to drop my sea bag in the trunk. As he was doing that, I asked, “Hey, I have 5 dollars. How far will that get me?” I knew that at my former duty, Camp Johnson, 5 bucks would get me anywhere. The cab driver expressed, “not far!” I was only thinking that “I am going to get in trouble for not being on time.” The Marine Corps does not mess around when it comes to being irresponsible, even if the Greyhound bus driver drives like Grandma. At that moment, before I could even worry about my lack of cash, I just saw this hand come from the other side of the cab across the roof and hand me 5 bucks. I could not believe it. No one was in the cab, and it was in the middle of the night in drug-infested Santa Ana! Who would be out this late? I just remember looking over the cab and expressing to a man who was fully dressed in a suit that until my dying day, I would tell everyone what he had done for me. He said not one word, and actually, I do not even remember his face.
All I knew is on one given day in the middle of the night, the Lord with his unspoken hand helped me with what most would say was just a small gesture. It turned out to be life changing. Friends, like Christmas, in the middle of the night, a child was born for one reason: to give the world a Savior to rescue us from trouble. For Isaiah 9:6 tells us, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the Government will be on his shoulders and His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Friends, it still is the most important thing that has happened to all of us. The question is: do you believe?
By the way, I got to my duty station on time, with 5 minutes to spare. My promise: I would tell the story of when the Hand of God came down and saved me in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere, and put me somewhere for his purpose. I do not know about you, but this sounds a lot like Christmas.
Merry Christmas
Robert Myers, Pastor
The Mission
If the Lord leads, please consider supporting The Mission with an end of year donation so we can continue supporting the homeless and the poor of our Community.
Send Checks To: The Mission, P.O Box 2011 California MD 20650 or a Credit Card donation can be made at www.seekingshelter.com, which is The Mission website.