I bumped into Paul at the grocery store while out shopping with my wife.  He was a senior gentleman with a slight beard sitting in his wheelchair and just standing still in front of an aisle.

“Excuse me sir, I noticed your wheelchair.  I’m a minister and I pray for people and God heals them. Can I pray for you, sir?” I offered him.

“You want to pray for me?” he asked surprised and continued a bit cynical, “You mean that there are still people in this world who actually care?”  “Of course!” I replied.  “Jesus loves you and He cares about you.  What can I pray for for you?”  

He mentioned something about his mobility and his back, so I thanked Jesus for Paul and for showing Paul that He loves him by healing him right now.  I asked if I could put my hand on his back.  He leaned forward and I and commanded the pain to go and for his mobility to be restored in Jesus name.  I told him to check it out and move his back around and do what he could not do before.  When I asked him how it felt, he said “It feels much better…but it feels really good in here.”

I was so focused on getting his back healed and looking for the first response he gave me.  But I did not understand what he meant with that last phrase.  I was praying from beside his wheelchair with my hand on his back.  But then I noticed that he was looking down when he said it.  When I took a closer look at his face, I saw that he was tapping with his fingers…on his heart.  Suddenly, I understood exactly what he meant.

He was moved and his heart had been touched and warmed by the unexpected compassion of a total stranger who would care enough to take a moment to minister to him in his hour of need.

Despite my encouragements, he did not want to try to get out of his wheelchair and said he would try it when he got home.  I said that that was fine because Jesus had healed him by His stripes.  He smiled at me with gratefulness in his eyes and again tapping his fingers on his heart he said “It already feels good in here.”  He thanked me for caring enough to take the time to stop and pray for him.  And that he really appreciated that.

After we said goodbye, I walked away thanking Jesus for touching Paul and healing him.  His words kept ringing in my head “…but it feels really good in here.” and in my mind I could still see him tapping with his fingers on his heart.

Now I am moved and humbled every time I think about Paul’s words.  Yes, this is what it is all about.  Having the compassion of Jesus and showing people that they matter to Him and to you by reaching out to them in their need and by stretching forth His hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done in the name of His holy child Jesus.

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.  Acts 4:30

Franciscus M. Dartee

Grow in Faith | Walk in Power

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