In my last Storytime of the Old Folks home, I mentioned how Jesus used a blanket to warm the heart of an Elderly Agnostic named Mark.
I mentioned Mark’s roommate Barry has a room full of personal items and pictures, trinkets and tokens of who he was before his stroke. Mark, living on the other half of his room, which is divided by a curtain, has totally bare walls. No personal items except for a box of Lays potato chips and some old gym shoes. After months of getting to know these two, I asked Mark if he preffered his walls bare. If that was a purposeful décor choice.
He said, “No. I just can’t do anything about it.”
I told Mark I have a passion for home design and I would love to make his space feel more like a home. “Would you give me permission to decorate?” Surprised by my request, Mark gave me full reign to design.
I prayed during the week, asking God to give me cost effective solutions as I want to be a good steward of my 501C3. Instantly, I saw a vision of the Goodwill down the street to my home. I’ve donated there but I’m not a shopper. I was unsure if buying used would feel like a gift, but I knew Goodwill was probably within my budget.
As I prayed for Mark to know Jesus, I had a vision of the type of painting to get him. I saw scenes of nature as Mark has not left his bed for some time. Giving him a glimpse of the outside would brighten his inside.
My girlfriend Jessica was visiting that weekend, and I felt God press my heart to go shopping with her that Saturday. As many of you know, Goodwill is you get what you get and if you miss it, it’s gone. Saturday came and we began moving throughout Goodwill, looking for the outside scenery on canvas.
We found a series of 4 hand painted oil paintings. It was the same scene but had the winter, spring, summer and fall. God is SO good! He made sure to not only bring the outside in for Mark but he ensured Mark wouldn’t miss the seasons. In that one shopping trip, we found a plant, basket, box and another painting to go above his nightstand.
When we got home, Jessica and I cleaned everything up, putting anointing oil on the items and praying over them. As we were, I had a vision of Jesus entering Mark’s room through the paintings, so I prayed for Mark to have encounters with Jesus every night.
Then, the Lord reminded me of the power of scripture, so I looked up Bible verses to pray over Mark’s circumstance and printed them up, fastening them to the framework of the art. I know the power of God’s word to prophecy God’s future and to deliver the oppressed, so now Mark is covered…not only in God’s tangible love through these gifts, but we are shifting the spiritual atmosphere with the word of God.
Please pray for Mark to not only feel the love and presence of God but for him to receive Jesus into his heart as we know God is pursuing him.
“Heavenly Father,
We lift up Precious Mark and people just like him; those who aren’t aware that it’s your spirit which infuses every good gift we receive.
Lord, your presence is in the sunshine, the laughter of a child, in the cool breeze and in a sweet bite of an apple.
You long for all to know you’re the spirit behind every blessed experience.
Bless those who are dear to your heart, be dear to ours.
Let our lights shine so others may bask in the warmth of your tangible love.
In Jesus’ name, reveal yourself to through those who know you so others can get to know you.
All for your glory, Amen.”
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 6:26
