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Touch Point – Denise’s Miracle
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Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2009 – Give ‘em Heaven
Touch Point – Denise’s Miracle
By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
Kingston
“Oh no,” I said to Bob on the phone. “The camper battery isn’t charging. I think we’ve blown another inverter box.” The battery is essential for camper life and keeping Belle cool and alive while we minister in New York City.
Bob found a RoadTrek dealer that was five hours away but in the right direction. He made an appointment for early the next morning. They easily fixed Halleluiah but the necessary restaurant meals, hotel stay, and repairs added an unexpected $500 to the journey.
Concerned about costs, I planned to eat simply in my hotel room but that Still Small Voice whispered, “Eat in the hotel restaurant.”
“One for dinner,” I told the Hostess, Denise. She sat me down right next to the Hostess station. I went to the salad bar and sat down with my food.
“How are you,” I asked, noticing the sadness in her eyes.
“I’m OK,” she said.
“Just OK?” I asked. “What would it take for you to be fabulous?”
“For everything in my life to change.”
“Marriage, kids, or finance troubles?” I asked.
“I guess it is just finances. I’m single and my 17-year-old daughter is great. My house is in foreclosure and I’m working two jobs.”
“Denise,” I said. “I’m a missionary. I travel the country helping people. God sends me to people. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve been through to get here. I suspect you were the reason. How are you spiritually?”
“I’m OK. I’m Catholic.”
“Do you attend church?”
“Not anymore.”
“Do you have personal relationship with God?” I asked.
“Not personal,” she said.
An angelic faced blond young man in the corner of the room signaled for his check. She handled his bill and came back holding the black leather folder containing the hotel receipt.
As this young man walked out, he smiled at us. When he smiled, his entire face lit up.
“He’s darling,” I said.
“I know what you mean,” she smiled. “He’s nice too.”
“I should let you eat,” Denise said, walking away to help someone else.
“Go do your job,” I said. “But come back. You are more important than this food.”
As she walked away, I noticed her wiping her eyes. Dear God, when was the last time someone told her how important she was? Help me.
When she walked back to her station, I said, “Let’s talk.”
She agreed and came to my table.
“Christ is my Savior. I have a personal relationship with Him. He helps me with everything, including finances. Trust me when I tell you I have reason to worry but I don’t because I know He’ll take care of it.”
“I know what you mean,” she said. “I’ve seen that kind of relationship in others but I’ve never had that experience.”
“You can,” I said. “Do you believe in Jesus?”
“I do,” she said hesitating.
“What about the resurrection?” I asked.
“I suppose it is possible,” she said. “I’ve seen other people die and felt like their souls got passed on somehow.”
“Sounds like you’ve gotten involved in some of the New Age philosophy,” I commented.
She nodded.
“If Jesus really was raised from the dead for you and He really was the truth, the only way to life, and the only way to God, would you want to know it?”
“Absolutely,” she said.
“Then I beg you to believe me that He is. He has filled all the holes in me. I know you are Catholic but it is possible to go through all the religious practices of any church without ever becoming a Christian. It takes more than believing. You have to ask Him to be a part of your life. You can invite Him into your life right now and everything in your life really will change. A broken camper cost this ministry an extra $500 today. I live off donations and budgets are tight. If that repair helps you find Christ, it will be worth it to everyone who donated. Leading people to Christ is why people send money to this ministry. Would you like to invite Jesus into your life right now?”
“I would,” she whispered.
“Then pray after me, one phrase at a time.”
We stared at each other the entire time we prayed.
“Dear Jesus, I need you. I believe in your birth, death, and resurrection and that you died for me. If there is any doubt in me, help me in my unbelief. I have made mistakes throughout my life and confess them to you now. Please come into my life and help me.”
We were both trembling.
“You’re different,” I said excitedly. “You can feel it, can’t you?”
“I can feel it,” she said.
“You can feel it to your toe nails. I can tell. The Holy Spirit has entered your life. He is yours forever. You are going to heaven and your heaven will begin now.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Denise, there are many steps after this. You must get back in church. You’ll want to start reading your Bible. Give me your address and I’ll mail you a book that will help you get started with your walk with Christ.” I handed her a salvation tract and a ministry card.
“OK,” she said, walking over to get some paper. When she got back to her station, she opened the black folder holding the credit receipt of that nice young man. She paled and walked immediately back over.
“Did you know this man?” she asked. “Was he with you?”
“No, I said. “I’ve never seen him before. Why?”
“He was very generous.” Her fingers were shaking again. “He gave me a $20 tip on an $8 meal.”
“God wants you to know that He is going to take care of your finances,” I said.
“Listen to what he wrote on the check,” she said through her tears.
This darling blond young man with the angelic face had written the words, “May God bless you. Seek Him.”
Pray for Denise and see her picture in the photo gallery - New York - Kingston
Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.
This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240 or go to the donate button on the home page of this website.
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