New York's Finest Moments

by Michele Bowden

 Last Fall I was in New York, and I was completely unprepared for what God had planned. 

We were boarding a Megabus for a short day trip when a friend I was traveling with said, “Want to do an experiment? Let’s throw out our plans for today and ask God how we can serve Him.” We all agreed, though internally I was pretty nervous. 

 At every turn, God showed up. 

While standing in line for bagels, a man asked if we would buy him a meal. As we talked, he shared that he had been kicked out of his home because of his sexual orientation. I will never forget the tears streaming down his face as we prayed for him right there in the bagel shop. 

On our way to Junior’s for cheesecake, another person stopped us asking for money. Instead, we offered her a submarine sandwich and conversation. She told us she used to attend church and then began encouraging us to stay in God’s Word. She quoted Scripture after Scripture from memory, ministering to us more than we expected to minister to her. 

At our final stop for pizza before heading back to the bus, a man was pacing in and out of the shop with a sharp attitude, frustrating the owner. We offered to buy his slice. He confessed he had planned to steal the food because he needed his money for drugs. We prayed with him, and he told us our prayer reminded him of his grandmother’s faith.  

Recently, I returned to New York determined to be ready. I packed conversation starters, stickers, small gifts, and even a Christmas devotional to give away. I was not going to be caught unprepared. 

Guess how many faith conversations I had? 

Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. 

Honestly, I was disappointed. God, I was prepared this time. Where was the fertile ground? 

What I walked away with, what felt like a flop of a faith adventure, was a reminder that serving your neighbor is not about you. It is about Him. It is not about striving or trying harder. It is about trusting God in whatever the circumstances are and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead. 

Next time I am in New York or even in South Riding, I am choosing trust. I will show up available and obedient, but only as He plans. Because it was never about me doing more for God. It has always been about God doing His work through me.