Willing spirit

A friend of ours confided in us that his elderly brother, who lives in Burnaby, Vancouver BC has yet to know and receive Jesus into his life. Due to my friend's current health issue, he was not able to travel up north to visit his own sister and brother-in-law. My husband and I offered to take a trip up north to visit them. Since my own brother used to work in the city of Burnaby, he knows the area well and is willing to go with us to visit them and share the gospel. I even shared this trip with my prayer group and asked them to pray for courage and clarity in sharing the gospel with this elderly couple. Just before we headed up to Vancouver, we got news that the elderly man had a major stroke and was admitted to the ICU. Oh, this was a shock, and we offered to go visit him in the hospital, but the family declined our visit or phone call. A couple of days later, I met our friend at church and reminded her that unconscious people can still hear; therefore, they contacted the Chinese Christian Mission (CCM) to see if they would have any visiting teams to the hospital. A pastor's wife was just about to go visit a patient in that same hospital and was willing to visit this elderly gentleman. Later, we learned that the pastor's wife was able to share the gospel with this gentleman, and he even showed signs that he was willing to receive Christ. Praise the Lord, and the Lord called him home the very next day. 

I felt bad for not being able to go visit him, but the Lord had a different plan. Send an angel who lives in Vancouver to deliver this important message. She is also able to help the family in the coming days. One of my prayer partners asked me how my trip went. I share the story with her with some regret. She reminded me, "Jennie, the Lord just needs your willing heart; He himself will do the work. Just like Abraham, he was willing to offer his own son when the call came, yet God provided a far better way when we obey." Wow, I am not Abraham, but this is a great reminder that the Lord accepts our willing hearts and actions. He will finish the work according to His perfect plan.