On the first Sunday in March, the lives of two strangers would collide in what can only be called a move of God.
On that particular weekend, our church served Communion at all three worship services. During the final Sunday service, Pastor Don, one of our long-time, beloved pastors, noticed that the worship team had been overlooked in receiving the Communion elements. Picking up a plate of wafers in one hand and a tray of juice cups in the other, Don went up onto the stage and served them.
On his way back down the 5 or so steps, he abruptly fell forward, landing flat onto his chest on the carpet covered floor. As he fell, the elements went flying out of his hands. The wafers scattered over the floor, while the juice splashed onto a woman in the front row. Her head had been bowed in prayer, so she was unaware of Don’s fall until she heard the simultaneous groans of those around her, and felt something wet splatter her legs.
Several men rushed to help Don stand, while others offered assistance to the woman, whose name Don later learned was Meriah.
Meriah had been, in her own words, “dragged to church” by her husband for several years. On the morning of the fiasco, she had been struggling with God, unsure of what to do with a growing desire to believe He really loved her. He had seemed like a cruel, uncaring God to her until recently, when she started reading the bible with others in a small group.
When she and her husband walked into the church sanctuary that morning, they chose to sit in the front row; something they had never done before. As Communion was being served, she let the “bread and wine” pass her by. Her heart was in turmoil. As she struggled with a tug on her heart to give her life to Jesus Christ, she bowed her head and closed her eyes. In her silent prayer she said something like this: “God, If you are really who they say you are; if you want me to put my trust in Jesus, I need a sign.”
It was at that very moment that Don tripped, and the juice, the very symbol of the blood of Jesus shed for the forgiveness of sin, washed over her. She knew instantly that it was the answer to her prayer for a sign.
Don was unaware of what was going on in Meriah’s heart at the time he spilled juice on her. After the service, repudiating embarrassment and achy bones, Don walked to the front of the auditorium to be available for prayer. Meriah went forward too, and approached Don. He introduced himself and apologized again for the accident. She was extremely gracious. Don then asked how he could pray for her, and she responded: I want to pray for Jesus to be my Savior. Humbled, yet filled with delight, Don prayed with her to invite Jesus to be Lord of her life. By the end of the following week, Don had heard the whole story of how their lives had intersected for God’s glory.
As the details of those two stories emerged, Don was in awe of how perfectly God orchestrated it all. When Don shared the incredible details with me, my first thought was that perhaps, at God’s command, and in response to Meriah’s plea, an angel had gently tapped Don on the back causing him to trip. Of course, I am simply speculating. But it sounds plausible to me, especially in light of Hebrews 4:14,
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
Regarding Meriah’s request for a sign, I don’t necessarily agree with the notion of asking for signs, but I do know that our Lord will answer our prayers not as we expect Him to, nor always in conventional ways. He knows what each heart needs and he loves to respond to the heart cry of a person who is considering making him Lord of their life.
This past week, our video team interviewed Meriah and Don. As the clip was shown in church today, I heard laughter and cheers, and noticed tears shed as we were reminded of the extent our God would go in doing whatever it takes to bring one of his own into the Kingdom.
Shortly after the video played today, we were overjoyed to witness Don baptizing Meriah – but this time, in water!
Watch their short testimony on video here!
Watch their short testimony on video here!
