American idol had started and I had decided to stay home and be a couch potato when a little after seven I had the sudden urge to go to a meeting unbeknownst to me the same thing happened in a couple other homes elsewhere in town. Meanwhile across town at the local camel club (where most of our meeting here are held) a man had called nearly in tears saying he needed a meeting and would someone come get him. The lady who answered the phone didn't hesitate she just went and got him. By the time they arrived I was there and a couple who had also felted nudged to go to the meeting were there also. We took him aside and his story unfolded as follows. He was hitchhiking from Bangor Maine where he lives in a mens shelter since sobering up 9 months ago to SaltLake City ( I live in southern Iowa) for his only daughters funeral. He touched our hearts as he told us of how life had changed for him his health had inproved (he has MS ) The workers at the shelter were working to get him a disabilty settlement from the military He was broke carrying his two bags he'd been let off and since it was getting dark he thought he'd hit a meeting before deciding what to do next.
The couple who had felt nudged into coming to the meeting called their pastor who instantly agreed to buy the man a bus ticket Someone volunteered to take him home give him a place to sleep a meal and a shower a couple of us who could gave him a some money so he can get a few meals.
The lady who went and got him wasn't going to come to the meeting if she hadn't, there wouldn't have been anyone there with a car when he called . If the couple hadn't changed their mind and came he wouldn't have gotten the bus ticket. As for me I listened as poured out his story to me and handed him some money but I believe I was there to witness God in action. If the love we showed changed this man and I believe it did witnessing this miracle changed me. So please take a moment and pray for Charles from Bangor Maine and while you're at it praise god for changing lives
Bryan
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Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Romans 8:6 , The Message
Thanks for sharing that with us. I love how there are miracles happening all around us, if we only open our eyes to see them. Charles is in my thoughts and my prayers.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
This story reminds me of the short story that tells about helping out a stranger, because they just may be an angel in disguise. It sounds like you recieved a wonderful gift tonight, Bryan. Thank you for sharing it with us, Wren
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"Never argue with an idiot... They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience..."
Isnt it wonderfull that we can have our minds open to miracles... and be able to witness them. So many folks in the world see them all the time, but never know it. What a great gift. Im happy for you and for Charles, Bryan.
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My warranty on tomorrow has run out. My guarantee on the past is void. Nothing is going my way... and I like it like that.
Charles got on a bus and was to be arriving last night/ early this morning in utah. Now I just pray that everything works out for him from there. I even now two days after that night feel awed and privledged to have been there and I can tell you that there were two miracles that night the one that came together to help charles and the other that happened in me. My heart was lifted up and changed in ways that i don't understand and don't have the words to describe. My sponsor told me when these miracles come don't over think them just embrace them and go on so thats what i'm doing. So today I'm a very gratefu;l alcoholic.
Take care Bryan
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Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Romans 8:6 , The Message
