On a Sunday over 32 years ago, we were experiencing a rather warm day for where we lived in Nebraska. A few months prior to this particular day, Christa and I had experienced a life changing event that has affected us in the most awesome and positive way; we gave our lives, our struggles and our marriage to the Lord. On this particular day I clearly heard our heavenly Father's voice during our time of worship. He spoke to my spirit saying, "I want you to bless someone today."

Immediately I understood it was to be a lady that I was to bless. I was stirred with excitement and anticipation as to who she was. I pictured one of the elegant widows we had befriended in the relatively short time we were in fellowship as new born believers. I eagerly went to the back of the church and stood near the double doors that led to the foyer and began shaking hands, hugging necks and extending compliments to each of the ladies I felt were the one that I was to bless.
I felt a little like the prophet Samuel when he arrived at Jesse's house to anoint the next king of Israel as the sanctuary began to empty. With each hand shake, hug and compliment I would ask in my spirit, "Was that the one?" Only to hear Him say, "No."

As the last lady was approaching the exit, I just knew she had to be the one. But even as I was extending my hand to shake hers I felt that little nudge in my heart that she wasn't the one. By this time I had begun to feel I hadn't heard correctly or I had missed the person I was supposed to bless. Turning to my left to exit the sanctuary I was suddenly overwhelmed with the leading that the lady standing near me, the one, like David, that had been overlooked, was the one to receive the blessing.

She wasn't anything I had envisioned. She was short, overweight, in a very simple dress with well-worn shoes. Her hair was oily and unkempt. But I was certain she was the one, so I nervously approached her and with a deep burning in my soul I extended my hand to shake hers. As she looked up at me I noticed tears pooling in her eyes. I asked if she needed a hug, she responded with a nod. I gave her a gentle embrace and she began to cry, so I asked her if everything was OK. She shared with me with words that matched her appearance that she had no food and it was over two weeks before her husband would get paid.

Isn't it like the Lord to take you from what you are comfortable with and begin to stretch you ever so gently? When He spoke to me, I understood the blessing was to end with a hug and a kind word. That was actually the beginning point.

Christa had gone to the nursery to pick up our son and even as a babe in Christ I knew that whatever we were to do to help this dear woman, Christa and I needed to be in agreement. I told the lady I needed to find my wife to see if we could help her.

I quickly stepped into the foyer to find Christa; thankfully she was making her way to rejoin me with our bundle of joy. I quickly informed her of the situation. Christa has always taken care of our checking account and as I took Anthony from her, she dug into her purse to retrieve the checkbook. She said we could buy her a few things as we had $12 and some change in our account. We must have had some groceries at home because I remember it was over a week before my next paycheck.

I ran back to inform the lady that we could get her some groceries. I asked her where her car was so that we could follow her. She replied that she didn't have a car and someone had given her a ride to church. I broke the news to Christa that she needed a ride and once again my beautiful bride said OK.

As we headed toward town I was hoping that whichever store she would ask us to stop at wouldn't be one of the pricier ones. Thankfully, she said she shopped at the Bag and Save store. As we went through the store she only picked out the generic brand food items; a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, a box of cereal, etc. Fruit was the only thing she asked if she could have two of, bananas or a water melon. I told her I could only afford for her to take one or the other; she chose the one that she liked instead of the one she said her husband liked. LOL.

The cart was pretty full as we made our way to the cashier and began unloading the shopping cart. The cashier asked who would be paying for the groceries. She seemed relieved when I told her I was paying. We had two large paper bags full of food and when the cashier told me the total I was overjoyed...the total was $10!

I helped her by carrying the groceries into her apartment while Christa stayed in the car with our son. Surprisingly her apartment was neat and clean. She thanked me several times and hugged me as I prepared to leave. I felt a sense of peace as I returned to the car. I'm pretty sure we went home to have lunch as we now had only a couple dollars in our account.

At the evening service I felt joy bubbling up inside me for I had not only heard my heavenly Father speak to me but I'd done what I believe He had ask me to do. There was no expectations, no if you do that then I'll do this for you; just the request for me, for us, to bless someone. The worship was sweet and God's presence was palpable. Then the most surreal thing happened. Andy, a gentleman whom we were just becoming friends with moved from the area where he was and slipped into the row behind us. As I acknowledged him by exchanging hugs, he slid his hand into my shirt pocket and said, "God wants me to bless you."

Once we got into the car, Christa asked me what Andy said to me during worship, I told her what he had said and that he had placed something in my shirt pocket. "What is it?" She asked me. I told her I didn't know as I was afraid to look. Without looking I retrieved what I recognized as a folded bill and handed it to her. She immediately began to cry as she held it up for me to see that it was a $50 bill.

That was the start of what has been a great wonder and joy as we have continued to listen to our heavenly Father as He has repeatedly asked us to be a blessing. The key is to bless without expectation. The crazy thing is when we do, He always blesses us someway, somehow. It may not be as quickly as this particular time and it's not always with money but He never forgets and He never disappoints.

As you read this, I pray that you will allow our heavenly Father to use you to be a blessing.

Don Shepherd