“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:34-36)
On Sunday mornings I pick up baked goods from Publix grocery store and take them to the Waffle House. I park my car by their kitchen back door and give out the baked goods to the WH employees and some customers in need. A waitress named Michele always gets baked items from me and is very grateful. Michele has been a waitress there for many years and I know her well. She is in her mid-fifties, has many tattoos, and a quiet personality. When I share my faith at the bar to waitresses and customers, she always stands and listens, however she rarely says anything. This past Sunday I asked her how was she doing. She said not very good at all. I asked her what was going on and she got quiet and began sharing.
She said she was having a sore throat, pain and having trouble swallowing. She said she finally went to the doctor a couple weeks ago (WH does not offer great health insurance) to have it checked. They found a large mass in her throat. On return visits and biopsy they confirmed it was cancer and it has began to metastasize into other areas of her body. She said she was going to have to receive both chemo and radiation treatments. She was going Tuesday (yesterday) to get a feeding tube inserted, as when they start the treatment her throat will be to sore, she will not be able to eat, and will be sick. She was scared and tearing up as she talked. She said today (this past Sunday) was the last day she will be able to work for a long time and she did not know how her and her husband were going to make it with loss of her income and medical bills. ( Her husband works at Walmart. ) For the first time in the years I have known her she asked me to please pray for her, and so I held her hands and I did.
I texted her yesterday evening and asked her how inserting the food tube went. She said it hurt way more than she thought it would, but she survived it.
Besides her husband George, Michele has no other family or support to help her or drive her to treatments and doctor visits. Her husband has to miss work to do this.
I love Michele. She is different, an outsider, one of the least of these. So I am going to do something I never have done in a morning devotion before, ask you who are reading this to help, encourage, and bless her. Here is her address:
Michele Jackson
2716 Monticello Drive NW
Huntsville, Al 35810.
(Her husband’s name is George)
What I am asking is that you take the time, go “old School”, buy a stamp, and mail her a card. Michele has been told she has stage 4 cancer, which is devastating. She is afraid, depressed, has anxiety, and unsure of her future both financially and physically. I can only imagine the surprise, hope, joy she would be blessed with by walking to her mailbox and receiving cards of prayers and encouragement from people she does not know. Maybe ask your small group, family members, or others to write her. She is facing financial hardships, so any financial support you want to include in your card of any amount I know she would appreciate. But simply receiving cards letting her know she is not an outcast, not alone, and loved would be such a blessing. And her experiencing the outpouring of “The Church” may help open the door of her heart where I can lead her into salvation of Jesus Christ.
My family, We all have busy agendas. I pray you may take the time to write Michele a letter or card, and be led by the Holy Spirit to see the other “Micheles” around you who are going through some kind of hell you be a source of light in their darkness and pain. In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.
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