Several years ago, I had recorded a divine appointment. Thought it fitting to post it here and share, particularly since it's the holiday season.
Hope you enjoy,
Keisha Dawn.....
Nathaniel
Yesterday I was at the McDonald's drive-thru near USC's campus. This young man had a windshield squeegee and paper towels in his hand.
Asking- no, begging- for money from every car in the drive-thru.
With a doo-rag around his head, jeans, and no shirt on. His nipples were erect from desperation. From every car he went to, he was rejected.
People were scared; confused. Go away, hoodlum. They didn't dare say it, but their actions shouted it loud and clear.
The young man gets to my car. His demeanor totally changes. He softens his voice and backs up.
Struggling Young Black Man: "Hi sistah. I'm going to back up... because I don't want to scare you. I don't want to steal anything or hurt you;
a brother is just trying to make some money so he can eat"
me: ::smiling gently at the guy:: "You don't have to back up. I'm not scared of you. You remind me of my Uncle Demetrius"
S.Y.B.M: ::smiling:: "Oh... I look like him?"
me: "Yes... a little. But, you remind me of his spirit.... his personality. You have a lot of heart."
S.Y.B.M.: :blushing:
me: "I am a broke student. I don't think I have any cash on me, just using my debit card. I wish I had some cash to give you."
S.Y.B.M.: "That is okay. Just pray for me"
me: "Yes... I will pray for you. What is your name?"
S.Y.B.M.: "Nathaniel"
me: "Nathaniel. Okay... I will pray for you. Be blessed..."
Nathaniel smiles and walks away calmly.
God spoke to me when Nathaniel came to my car. I was not scared of him... I understood him. And when he said "pray for me", I knew he had Faith.
me: ::shouting:: "Nathaniel...come back!"
I held his hand in mine for about five seconds. I just held his hand and felt the energy from the Lord move between us.
And then I put $20 in his hand.
... when I pulled away from McDonald's, my lunch did not fulfill me as much as seeing Nathaniel in my rearview mirror shouting "Praise you, Jesus" and raising his hands in the air. I wiped away tears on the way to school.
Here I am, on a tight budget with school, and the Lord used me to bless someone else struggling even more.
Nathaniel's faith has renewed mine.
Enjoy this holiday season... and let us be thankful... whether we have a little or a lot.
The following Sunday after meeting Leo, I was at the same corner on the way to church and there was another man sitting down.
He was smoking what smelled like a grandfather's pipe. He had a laid-back demeanor and a gruff voice.
We chatted a bit. He began to tell me his problems... I listened intently.
He told me how the meaning of his name had a negative connotation to it.
"Why did your mom give you a negative name?" I asked
"I don't know" he said remorsefully, blowing out a puff of smoke and shaking his head.
"Well," I said "What are you going to do, live out the meaning of your name or soar like an eagle above your situations"
He looked at me intently, waiting for me to go on.
"You need to see yourself as God sees you" I said.
"Why does God care about me?" he asked.
"He sent his son to die for you. He loves you that much." I said.
"Who are you?" he asked.
I smiled and laughed. "I'm on my way to church"
He smiled.
"There is a scripture that says 'as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he", remember that" I said.
He smiled again and nodded. "Mmm. That's good" Yenta was drinking God's word right up.
"Well, Yenta. It was an honor to meet you. You are going to do great things" I shook his head.
He shook my hand and beamed.
I believe that Sunday Yenta realized that he had a purpose and that God loved him. I honestly do feel that Yenta will remember our little conversation on that street corner. It is a blessing to use God's word to lift people up. There is power in the tongue. Let us speak life over people and exhort them; words are powerful.
The past 2 Sundays on the way to church, I have met two different men on a particular corner of the street at 55th and Ashland. Last Sunday, I met Leo. This Sunday, a man named Yenta.
Leo
Leo stood on the corner, bundled up from the cold and holding a DSW bag in his hand. I remember how nice he was, a genteel manner. We chatted a bit, and he was very helpful, offering some tips about Chicago. I could tell by the way people approached him asking for a lighter and other "random needs" (to protect his identity I will not go into detail) that he was from the neighborhood.
I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to minister to him.
Granted, I've never just ministered to someone on the street in this manner, but I was obedient.
"Leo, would you like me to pray for you?" I looked him in the eye, trying to keep my body still in the chill of the morning air.
He looked at me calmly "Yes"
I walked over to him and God's power just started flowing.
He knew Jesus, he was just living a crazy life currently- alcoholism, drugs- and needed deliverance. He was hungry to be set free, because I asked him to raise his hands a bit while I prayed over him. Not only did he oblige, but he began to get down on his knees in the middle of the street.
"Oh, no... Leo, you don't have to get down on your knees... we are out in public" I warmly hugged him.
As I prayed deliverance over him, he let out a shout.
Next, the Holy Spirit told me to invite him to church with me.
Again, Leo obliged.
As Leo sat in our spirit-filled church, I could tell the Holy Spirit was doing a work on him and his eyes became brighter.
I invited Leo to come back with me every Sunday, and shared the importance of surrounding himself with people of God so he will not slip back into a depressed lifestyle.
It was humbling to have God use me in this manner- to share His love and light with someone off the street. Never would I have the power to do such a thing, particularly to the point that they would go to church with me as well. I believe this is the beginning of the street ministry.
Next post, Yenta.
