SAVIORS

Several years ago I met a woman in need.  I’ll call her Sandra.  Sandra was the only woman to show up at a homeless shelter where I was working and, having a history of sexual abuse, she didn’t feel comfortable spending the night. She said she was trying to get to a woman’s shelter in the next town, but she couldn’t get a ride and the cab companies were “booked for the night” due to the hideous weather. So, of course, I felt the need to come to her rescue, even though my gut (read, GOD!) told me it was a bad idea.  

Sure enough, after driving 20 minutes into town we found the emergency women’s shelter but, since it was already almost 11pm, the doors were locked tight and there was no one to be seen. As she banged on the door, I called the police department to see if there was some other shelter I could take her to, but I was disconnected just as Sandra came back to the car to tell me she didn’t see anyone. We drove around to another door and banged on that door until finally the shelter manager came to the window, but when she saw that it was Sandra, she refused to let her in. Apparently Sandra had already been kicked out of the shelter the day before and was no longer allowed in. Period. 

I asked Sandra what she wanted to do now and she asked that I take her to the police department, so I did… but again, due to the late hour, there was nobody there. I called the non-emergency number (again) and told the dispatcher we were now AT the police department but there were no police on site. When I questioned WHY there was no police at the police station I was told they’re “all out on the streets where the bad guys are,” so we waited in my car with the heater blaring while the dispatcher called an officer to come meet us. 

It was only then that it dawned on me that I should pray.  

And so, finally, I did. 

I asked Sandra if I could pray with her and she agreed. I prayed with her, and for her, and for whatever her situation was that got her to where she was, and that we would be able to find her a safe place to sleep for the night. Sadly, we weren’t instantly transported to a warm women’s shelter with a shower, so she shared more of her story with me while we waited for an officer to arrive.

About 20 minutes later a police officer showed up and, after hearing why we were there he went into his car and made some calls to see if he could help us find a shelter for the night. I went back into my warm car and made some calls as well, but to no avail. He finally came over and we got out of the car to talk with him. As we stood shivering in the 10 degree night air he said there were no shelters willing to take her, as they were either completely full due to the wicked weather, or she’d been asked to leave them previously due to her “unsafe” behavior. I thanked the officer for his help and had Sandra get back into the car with me, wondering what to do next.  

She said she had a little money from begging that day, so she asked me to take her to the cheapest motel in town. I drove across town and she got out and rang the doorbell for assistance, as everything was locked up for the night. The motel manager let her in, but when it was discovered that she only had $46 instead of the $50 cash required for the night’s stay, the motel manager literally laughed at her and sent her away. (Yes, really. 10 degrees outside and they wouldn’t give her a $4 discount.) I didn’t have a dime on me, and now it was nearly midnight.

Sandra sat in my car crying and I silently prayed again for direction. In obedience I started driving and told her the ONLY option she had (besides sleeping outside in the cold and literally freezing to death – which was NOT an option!) was to go back to the homeless shelter we’d come from, and I’d spend the night at the shelter as well, to ensure she would be safe. She agreed, so I called them and let them know we were on our way back. 

As we drove back, I tried to put her mind at ease, telling her that I knew the men running the shelter, and they were good Christian men who would protect her with their lives. I also told her I knew nearly all the other men who were staying at the shelter and none of them would hurt her either. She just listened to me and nodded in agreement. She asked if she could sleep in the bathroom, or in the utility closet or something. I told her not to worry, we would figure something out for her, and reassured her that she would be safe and warm for the night.

When we arrived, the manager of the shelter met us at the door. We walked inside and I told him she wanted to sleep in one of the bathrooms or in the utility closet or something, just so she could have some privacy and separation from the men, (who were all now asleep due to the late hour,) and he took us over to a corner of the room. 

He had taken all the giant supply bins and had created a small room for her using the bins to form walls. There was one of the large, soft mats set up for her inside, and when she saw what he had done for her, she just melted and started crying and thanking us profusely. I asked her if she wanted me to stay with her, but she said no, thanked us both again, went into the “room,” went to bed, and fell asleep immediately.

(Just for the record, I married that man! *grin*)

I drove back to town replaying the events of the evening in my mind. I got home and started getting ready for bed, completely exhausted, not only because it was now well after midnight, but because of the emotional roller-coaster of the night.  The word that came to mind was “weary”. Bone weary. 

As I stood in the bathroom brushing my teeth, I turned my attention to the Lord, thanking Him for providing a warm safe place for Sandra to sleep for the night. 

It was then that He gently spoke to my heart and said, “You’re not the savior of the world. I am.”

After a few silent moments of letting that message soak into my soul, He said, “Prayer should not be just another thing on your list you check off as you’re scurrying around frantically trying to save people and fix everything. Just because there is a need doesn’t mean YOU need to fill it. Had you paused and come to me first with this need tonight, you never would have left the shelter and everyone would have gotten a few hours more of much needed rest. Now get to bed and go to sleep.”  

It wasn’t a beat-down, it was the truth spoken in gentle love, (as always,) but it really hit me hard.

Several scriptures ran through my mind after hearing this word from the Lord.  First, Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.” I can NOT do this in my own strength. (Obviously!)  When I try, I become very, VERY weary. 

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” So the FIRST (not the LAST!) thing I need to do is come to Him. He can only give me rest when I come to Him. And I do this through prayer. 

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells us to “seek FIRST the Kingdom of God…”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray without ceasing,” which means to be in constant communication with Him… only then can He truly guide me. 

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

When we pray and thankfully present our request to God we receive THE PEACE OF GOD which guards our hearts and minds. 

That’s awesome.  

And finally, (one of my all-time favorite scriptures that I am always having to remind myself of!) is Philippians 4:19 which says, “God will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

GOD will supply all YOUR needs.

GOD will supply all MY needs.

I don’t have to do it on my own.

You don’t have to do it on your own.

You are not the savior of the world, and neither am I.

He is.

Thank God.

SCRIPTURES

Philippians 4:13 ~  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

Matthew 11:28 ~ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV)

Matthew 6:33 ~ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (NASB) 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ~ pray without ceasing… (ESV)

Philippians 4:6-7 ~ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

Philippians 4:19 ~ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV)