Heaven's Delivery Agent

I just finished reading "You Were Born For This" by Bruce Wilkinson.  (Great book!  Get it, read it and then do it!)  In his book he introduces the term "Heaven's Delivery Agent," as someone who has committed to partnering with our Father by following His leading to deliver everyday miracles to people.  So I've been starting my last couple of days off by asking God to show me who He desires to meet with today.  Today He answered loud and clear!

I had gone to a funeral for a close friend's mom.  It was mostly family and I didn't really know most of the folks there.  I noticed this one woman by herself, sitting off to the side of the gravesite.  Our Father "nudged" me to go talk to her.  "What am I suppose to say?" I thought to myself.  I introduced myself and asked if she was ok, she seemed like she was taking the loss pretty hard.  She shared that she was having a hard time letting go because she had really started getting close to her aunt only recently.  She talked about dying and that she had died once.  This caught my attention, so I asked her what it was like. 

She shared her story of how 18 years ago she was driving home from work and was involved in a head on collision with a 19 year old who was racing.  She shared how the wreck had stolen her life away because of the physical damage to her body (over 70 broken bones) and brain trauma.  She was incredibly bitter towards the young man and shared how she wanted to see him suffer in the same way that she has had to suffer.  She was carrying so much resentment and anger and hurt that I could see the torment that she was in, because of the unforgiveness in her life towards this young man.

I said, "You seem like this has tormented you for 18 years, you must be incredibly tired of living this way.  Are you?"  She looked up through tears and softly said, "That's exactly how I have felt for the last 18 years and I am tired of feeling this way."  I shared with her that I knew how she could feel better immediately, which really caught her attention.  She asked how.  I shared my story of being hit by a hit and run driver 3 years ago while out running and shared how I had forgiven the driver.  I also shared the story of the Unmerciful Servant found in Matthew 18:23-35.  I shared with her that when we refuse to forgive someone that we are the ones who are actually placed into prison and that we become the ones who are tortured. 

She lifted her head and stared intently at me and said, "Oh my gosh, I've never thought of it that way.  You're right, I have been living the last 18 years in a prison and allowing myself to be tormented.  How can I get out?"  I answered, "You must forgive this young man from your heart and let our Father be his judge."  She answered, "I don't know if I can do that."  I asked, "Do you want to try?"  She shook her head yes.  I led her in a prayer of forgiveness.  When we got to the part of saying I forgive (the name of the driver) she stopped and said "I can't do it right now.  I need some time.  I feel like you just showed me how to deal with all this anger and resentment I've been carrying around for 18 years, but I just can't say I forgive him right now."  I responded, "No problem, when you're ready to walk out from the prison our Father will be there to walk every step with you."

I'm confident that my new friend will soon be walking out from her prison door and stepping into a new day very soon!  My friends, as believers in Christ we are called to be about our Father's business...to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and release the oppressed. 

Will you be Heaven's delivery agent?