Q&A
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I want to answer two questions before I go to bed tonight. (By the way, thanks for all the fun queries!) For those of you who were reading the blog last summer you might remember me stumbling across some people on Craigslist who needed help with back to school clothes and supplies; and with basic food, furniture, and clothing for their 3 kids. It has been almost an entire year since I first found myself on Craigslist helping a few people. I have not helped ANYONE on the site since then... that is, until today. So, anonymous... can you believe that of all days to ask if I was still helping people on Craigslist, you would ask today? Below you will see a string of emails from me to a lady by the name of Elda H. (identity withheld) that I randomly came into contact with this afternoon. I will do a bit more investigating, but I am pretty sure this lady and her family could use the Wal-Mart gift cards! And Etta, you asked: How do you know if it is God talking? Well, today I did not hear God's booming voice or even a whisper. Today I got on Craigslist to try and sell my 330 leftover newborn diapers. I was trying to make money; I was not scouring the pages of Craigslist to be a superhero or saint... I was there for my own sake. I find a lady who is not on the website to ask for help but is there to legitimately buy what she needs. Our paths cross. As soon as I read her very first e-mail though, I felt a nudge that I was supposed to offer her Annie's clothes. Then I hear her story. She was praying that God would provide for her. Then anonymous writes on the very day that I do something that I have not done in a year and asks if I still take Wal-Mart cards for needy families? Coincidence? I don't think so. Job 33:14-15 says, "For God does speak- now one way- now another, though man may not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds..." I believe God speaks now one way, now another. Through the Holy scriptures, through the church, through circumstances, surroundings, through a song... you name it, the Holy Spirit can use it to speak to you. For me, I know God is speaking when he confirms something to me over and over again. Like the experience I journaled about in the blog, And God Spoke. He used a radio DJ, my pastors, my band mate, a random camp preacher man, Psalms 23, and an old guy who happened to bring a brand new purse to camp. There was no booming voice, but I knew it was God working through each of those people and situations to speak to me. I believe when God speaks he is not trying to confuse you... He speaks clearly and does not give up on you if you don't hear Him the first time. Today, He spoke again. Very quietly. Very discreetly. Had I been in bad spirits perhaps I would not have perceived it... but today I was tuned in. Today God spoke. So I am enclosing the litany of e-mails for several reasons... mainly, I want you, whoever you are, to know that it is not hard to find people with needs. They are out there. So trust your gut instinct and don't be afraid to offer a kind word or helping hand. You will be surprised who might need it. I guess I am also enclosing the emails for anonymous. I wanted you to know how perfectly timed your question was today. And finally... I reiterate that I am nothing special. These emails will show you that I set out to make a profit; and then God graciously led me in a different direction. And yes, you can send Wal-Mart or Target cards for this family to: Jenny Simmons PO BOX 630768 Irving, TX 75063