While in Spokane for our nephew’s wedding, my husband Bob and I discovered a fabulous breakfast place called the Bruncheonette. It was so good, we decided to squeeze in one more visit before we traveled home. Having found the abundance of one-way streets difficult to navigate by car, we decided it would be easier to walk there.

I’ve been reading a great book, The Problem of Jesus by Mark Clark, and slipped it in my backpack. Bob is a man of few words, so I knew he would appreciate the quiet as I read while waiting for our food. I love to read, probably because I love to learn. My shelf space is limited, and usually overflowing, so I give away many books once I’ve read them.

This book, however, is a keeper. It is filled with underlines and highlights, like most of my keepers are.

I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation at the table next to us, just three feet away. There were four men talking – two younger and two approximately my age. The man kitty-corner from me shared that he had been saved, giving the exact number of years, months and days since that event. As I continued reading, I heard God say, “Give him your book.”

I would love to say I jumped up and did just that, but I did not.

Have you ever argued with God in your head? This was one of those times when I did. I realize now that I was primarily the one talking. Responding to God. In my head. (People tend to look at you funny when you talk to God, out loud, in public places.)

“But I really like this book. I want to keep this one. I already have it all marked up.”

“I was going to read this on the plane this afternoon. I don’t have a back-up book.”

“Since when do I go interrupt and start talking to people I don’t know?”

And that is the point.

I’m an introvert, so I don’t go around talking to people I don’t know. I also don’t tell myself to give away books I want to keep. Which means, this message did not come from me. It came from God. And I’ve learned (the hard way) many years ago, to do what God calls me to do.

So when we finished eating and got up to leave, we walked up to the neighboring table. I (awkwardly) said to the gentleman, “This is going to sound weird, but God told me to give you this book.” He quickly stood up and hugged me. And the two younger men stood up and said, “We love weird God stuff!”

I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as we celebrated God in the middle of the Bruncheonette. In that moment, I was so glad that I obeyed! I wouldn’t want to miss this!

We said goodbye to our new friend Jim, and walked back to our hotel. I was so focused on our little group, we’d walked a few blocks before I realized I had no idea what was going on in the rest of the restaurant. We probably created quite the spectacle.

I wondered, was this just for our little group, or did someone else in the room need to see that God still speaks to those who listen?

How about you? Have you ever done something out of your comfort zone at God’s direction?

Lisa