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Stop Complaining - You Have What You Need
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Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2012
Stop Complaining - You Have What You Need
By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 KJV
Silly me. I thought I was supposed to witness to him. I was stuck in Holbrook, trying to get Halleluiah the Camper Van drivable so I could limp to Phoenix to get it completely repaired. I didn’t know how long I was going to be there. I was looking for how God was going to use this situation and had already led one person to Jesus.
A scruffy bearded windblown man with skin leathered from many hours in the Arizona sun walked into the repair shop. He didn’t quite look homeless but his wrinkled stained clothing and dirt covered hands suggested a rugged outdoor life.
“Howdy,” he said, poking his head into the waiting room."I like your dog."
“Hi,” I said. “She is Belle the Missionary Dog." We spent a few minutes with Belle doing her Jesus thing. He was duly impressed.
"Are you here getting something repaired?” I asked.
“No Ma’am,” he said. “I’m just here to pick up a hook for my truck. You got something broke?”
“Yes,” I said, sighing heavily. “I’m in ministry. I travel the country in a camper. Last night, I rode over a curb and really broke poor Halleluiah the Camper Van. Now I’m stuck.”
“What kind of ministry?”
“I’m a Christian,” I said. “I help people discover a relationship with Jesus. Are you a Christian?”
“I don’t call myself a Christian,” he said smugly. “I just follow Jesus.”
“Ok,” I said. “Let me ask you question. Do you know where you will go in the next life?”
“I do,” he said. “Do you?”
“I do,” I said, smiling at the challenge. He reminded me of Daddy. Daddy always turns my spiritual questions back on me. “I’m assuming you mean heaven. When you get there and God asks why he should let you in, what will you say?”
“I don’t have to say anything,” he said. “My name is already written in the book of life. Is yours?”
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (the beast,) whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev 13:8 KJV
I laughed aloud. “It is. It sounds like you’ve called on the name of Jesus. I’m curious. Why wouldn’t you say you were a Christian?”
“I don’t like what a lot of Christians do. Some lie, cheat, and steal. Some even murder in the name of Jesus. If they would follow Jesus, they wouldn’t do all that. I follow Jesus.”
“Do you go to church?”
“Of course! I’m a pastor and a prophet. I preach everywhere I go. I’m not always popular but I preach the truth. God has some hard truth for you right now and I’m gonna give it to you even if you don’t like it.”
“And what is that?” I asked, warily.
“You need to stop complaining. God wants you to know that you have everything you need to do His work. If you let God, he will give you everything you need. You keep getting surprised at problems. You think it is supposed to be easy to do God’s work. It isn’t. You are going to keep having problems but God will give you everything you need to handle them. You think you need that camper but you don’t. You are doing His work and He will provide for you, however he chooses. I’m imagining your husband is pretty upset about you having these troubles. You tell him that God is giving you everything you need if you will just take it. Your husband needs to stop worrying about everything and trust God. You may not want to hear this but you need to stop complaining. Just do your work and take what God sends you.”
At that point, I was frantically trying to remember if I’d mentioned my husband’s franticness over my argument with that curb. I wondered if this bedraggled man had talked to the repair people. After all, Bob had called several times with questions and suggestions. I didn’t think this man could have talked to them because he had just walked into the shop. I was starting to suspect God really had sent me a prophet and am not sure why I was having so much trouble believing it.
“Ok,” I said. “I receive that.” We talked a few more minutes and when he left, he firmly and completely repeated himself. I tried to take his picture but he told me that he didn’t allow people to take his picture.
Later, I called my best friend Nancy and relayed what happened.
“Cheryle, he must have been a prophet sent with a message from God. Trust me, people don’t walk up to me and say things like that.”
In the 2 weeks since the camper incident, I’ve thought about this man’s words many times. While he was chastising me, I didn’t know it, but a friend was already on the way to rescue me. She and her husband took me into their home, gave up their bedroom for me, got me to the repair shop, and drove me to the rental car agency. I must admit that I was having trouble accepting their generosity but I remembered this man’s words, “God will provide for you if you let him.”
The insurance has covered all costs, including living while I wait. I don't know when the camper will be fixed but I’m staying in a tiny simple but comfortable hotel in beautiful Sedona, while continuing my work.
People have fed me, gone witnessing with me, and donated to the ministry. As I sit here, a couple is driving two hours to spend the weekend with me - take me out to eat and to evangelize with me.
If my camper doesn’t get ready in time for my next event and I have to fly to Tennessee to evangelize at the Bonnaroo Rock Concert, someone here has already offered to keep Belle in Phoenix until I can return.
My sister-in-law, Louise Milligan, is meeting me at Bonnaroo to evangelize and has offered to pick me up at the airport and drive me to my next destination, Jacksonville, Florida. To quote her email, “My car is at your disposal.” God is providing if I let him.
Since that curb brutalized Halleluiah, 14 people have prayed to receive Jesus. Apparently, I really don’t need the camper to do God’s work. I’m doing my best to stop complaining. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I have everything I need to do God’s work.
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