An Anonymous Encounter

(For an understanding of "Encounter" please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")

Hi Don -
Thanks so much for the Encounter session tonight. I had come just to give a ride to someone else there, and didn't really know what to expect. Then when you read your list, quite a few items pertained to me, so I felt God nudging me to get prayer for myself.

I've had some trouble with pinched nerves, and one of the symptoms was pain in my toes on my right foot. As we prayed, I felt that pain fade away, and it hasn't come back.

The bible says that we sometimes don't really know what to pray for, but that he knows our every need. What I didn't tell you was that I had missed work today because I had been up all night worrying about some financial setbacks I've had. I had been praying and telling God how much I trusted Him to help me out of this situation, but then my mind would return to worrying and panic. God has come through for me in so many ways before, and I know how he provides for my every need. But I guess I was thinking this one is too big for God to handle. I had just had coffee with a friend this morning, and confided in him that this situation seemed impossible, and I had no idea how God was going to solve this one.

Then tonight, just as we finished praying, someone came up to me and, completely unexpectedly, handed me a check. I suspect he had no idea he was being sent on a mission from God. It was God's message to me saying, "Ye of little faith. Why do you doubt?" I was overwhelmed with gratitude and so amazed at how God keeps surprising me. It was his way of saying, "Don't worry. I got this."

Hard-headed as I am, I realized he had just sent me that same message last week, and I should have rested in Him, knowing how he takes care of me. I still don't know how he's going to handle the rest of my crisis, but I don't need to know. I have the peace of knowing He will.

Thanks again. (If you want to use any part of my testimony, feel free. For obvious reasons, I'd rather you not use my name.)

God bless.