BY Chris Graske
One day, a few months ago, I felt led to go out in the City. I had a coffee shop pop into my head, so I started to make my way there. On my way I saw a guy that I've known for a while. I met him on one of the first nights that he was homeless, and I referred him to the shelter where he still lives! He’s been able to stay at the shelter for about 10 months, and has even been able to get a job! He was so appreciative that I went out my way to look up shelters for him.
As this friend and I left in different directions, I felt like I was supposed to go into Ross and also felt that there may be a specific woman I was supposed to meet. I walked directly to the cooking section, as I was in need of pots and pans. Immediately, I saw a woman looking at all of the pots and pans. I prayed "God, is she the one?", and I felt that she was. I struck up a conversation about pots and pans with her to see if she had any recommendations for me, and she started to tell me all about them-- which ones were good deals, which ones were not, and which ones I should buy. In our conversation, we chatted about where we live and I told her that I lived nearby in the Tenderloin. She said that she did too! Afterward, she started opening up about her life including the passing away of a loved one and her service in the military, where she developed a problem with her knee.
As she was about to leave, I decided to walk with her since she was intimidated to go through the neighborhood alone at night. We chatted all the way home allowing me to share about what I do at YWAM, and through this I learned she is also a believer. So cool! We made our way back home to the TL and I asked to pray for her knee. She said yes, so I prayed with her, and instantly she said it started to feel better. We traded contact info so she could tell me more about her pot and pan recommendations, then said our goodbyes, and went our separate ways. The next morning, I woke up to a text saying, “I HAVE NO KNEE PAIN THIS MORNING!” I was both freaking out and super pumped. For the next three mornings I got similar texts. She had been using strong painkillers and wearing a knee brace, and no longer needed either of them! It was amazing to see God’s heart for the Tenderloin through this encounter.
GOD'S THE BOSS, EVEN IN ROSS.