"Give and Take"

So, this week I have learned about the phrase "give and take." First of all, I do want to warn you that this is one of those blogs that you just might not like; not like, in the sense that you may not agree with me, your convictions may be different from mine, or you just may be challenged. I came across two situations this week that really taught me a lot; one of which I will explain, one of which I will not. I bought my first pack of cigarettes this week; before you freak out on me, I did not buy them to smoke, I bought them to distribute . . . to distribute, WHEN ASKED, in order to advance the Kingdom that is. Give & Take, let me explain.

Those of you who kept up with my blog this past summer know about a woman named Angela. She was very hard toward me at the beginning of the summer, and softened up toward the end. I have prayed for her since the day I first came across her. My friend Steve and I were prayer walking on Tuesday. We prayed that God would cross our paths with Anglea again. Wednesday I saw her. We talked, I told her "Jesus loves you" as I always have, and that I was praying for her. She seemed humbled, but in a hurry to get away as she always has as well. Before she leaves me, it never fails that she asks me for either a quarter or a cigarette. I don't ever carry money on me here walking the streets and I don't have cigarettes; until now. A thought came to me, as it has before chilling with the homeless in downtown ATL . . . if I carried cigarettes around and someone asked me for one, it would give me a chance to talk to them. Give & Take. You want a cigarette, sure, but you have to sit and chill with me.

I found myself praying over the box of cigarettes this morning. I truly believe God will open up conversations with people on the streets that will eventually lead to Him. I am confident of this. What I am learning here in the Quip very quickly is that ministry takes on a whole different face, if you will. A face that whether you like it or not will lead to the advancement of the Kingdom in some way, shape, or form. Pray for Angela. Pray for the people I will get to talk to over a cigarette. Pray for transformation in the people of Aliquippa! Praise Him!

Love deeply.