In Listen Up, Kids, I share how valuable and important it is to show up. I offer it as and example of how previously unknown or unobtainable opportunities can make themselves known. In a lot of ways, it follows the same premise of today’s cultural mantra, “You Only Live Once,” or YOLO. In other ways, it follows the same premise as “Fear of Missing Out,” also known as FOMO.
Regardless of the cultural iterations, the bottom line remain the same. When you show up to where you are supposed to be, you may get new opportunities. You’ll find opportunities for growth, to experience progress and embark upon new seasons of life. The doors are indeed opened.
When you don’t show up, though, those opportunities are cut off before they ever have a chance to make themselves known.
Show Up and God Will Meet You in the Wal-Mart Parking Lot
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. We needed to buy our weekly groceries, which my wife, Jenny, usually does while the kids and I find other ways of getting into trouble. On this Sunday, though, Jenny wasn’t feeling well, so I took on the duty and my daughter, Stella, and I set out for Wal-Mart.
As a creature of habit, I usually park on the east side of the lot, but something compelled me to park on the west end of the lot this time around. After we parked and got out of the car, we heard a loud bang. We paused for a moment. We were about to begin walking toward the building, but Stella decided to take off her jacket.
Starting to grow impatient, I waited on Stella. After she got done, we finally began walking toward the doors. A few steps into the trek, a vehicle pulling a trailer with an obvious flat turned the corner and started clunking our direction.
They parked directly across from where we stood – just a few steps from my car. A quick glance at the bumper stickers made it incredibly obvious that the vehicle belonged to missionaries.
When you show up to where you are supposed to be, you may get new opportunities. You’ll find opportunities for growth, to experience progress and embark upon new seasons of life. The doors are indeed opened.
Show Up Because You’re Supposed to be Here
A while back, I wrote a post about how we can have a better attitude to the mantra of “I’m not even supposed to be here today.” As I stood with my daughter watching everything unfold. I couldn’t help but grin at God’s orchestration.
I don’t normally do the grocery shopping. My wife prefers shopping at Kroger’s over Wal-Mart and I am the opposite. Something compelled us to park on the opposite side of the parking lot and Stella’s dilly-dallying had us a several moments off typical course. God was very clear in telling me that I was supposed to be there at that very moment.
I could have grabbed Stella by the hand to scurry into the big-box retailer to get done with our shopping uninterrupted. However, given all the machinations that I just observed, how could I do that? Next, I went well outside my comfort zone as a gentleman got out of the vehicle to inspect the situation.
Show Up to Bless and Be Blessed
Rather than go about my regular business, I engaged the driver and his wife, who got out as well. They had been on the highway when another motorist pointed out that their tire was showing signs of distress. They pulled off at the next exit. The tire blew just as they got into the Wal-Mart parking lot near the tire servicing area (where we were parked as well).
I saw it as more signs of God’s obvious orchestration.
Their plan was to get a new tire at Wal-Mart, but it was not certain if the retailer would have a suitable match. I directed them to other places in the community that might be available as other options if needed. I also referred them to hotels that might have the best rates if they needed to wait out the night since most of the alternatives would be closed.
Then we talked about missions and mission work.
I learned they, Robert and Debbie Wulff, were missionaries from Yugo Ministries, traveling back from their mission field in Mexico back home to Ontario, Canada. They had run out of ministry funds and were returning to begin another round of fundraising so they could get back to doing mission work in Mexico.
Having done mission work in Mexico myself, I quickly connected with them.
I found out the work they do through Yugo Ministries is similar to what I had experienced. They host teams for short-term missions trips to build houses. Also, they host children’s programs, serve in feeding ministries, encourage pastors and more. They’re actively doing mission work to show the love of Christ in the world and helping others to do the same.
Show Up, Serve and Support
Since this meeting – when God told me to show up – I have followed the Wulff’s efforts through their monthly newsletter. I could say that the story ends here – and it might. But I don’t think it’s supposed to be that way. I’m hopeful that the 1Glories platform can help the Wulff’s raise funds to get back to Mexico.
I pray you consider showing up and supporting them.
https://youtu.be/EhGKYX5d1YE