The Voices in My Head

 

I quit. I give up trying to bring home fried potatoes. I guess I owe you some back story on that one. I have mentioned before that my wife and I volunteer at a ministry that helps the struggling and homeless. Our cook there is known for her seasoned, roasted potato wedges. They are fantastic! Since I often have an egg burrito for breakfast, they make a wonderful fill addition in them. Sometimes we have left overs. When that happens, she hands out containers to whoever would like some. I have tried to take some with me at least 5 times. They have only made it all the way home once. I blame it on the voices in my head. No, I really don’t hear voices in my head (that would be disturbing indeed!). But God often subtly communicates with me as I go about my day. Several times He has prompted me to give them away. It also happens on the way out of Olive Garden when I get one of the take home meals. My wife seems to think it’s hilarious.

One evening on the way home I saw a young man standing by the traffic light. He had the all too familiar handwritten sign of “Hungry, Anything helps”. This is where God nudges me and says,

“Help him.”

“But I’m in the wrong lane and the light changed.”

“Turn in to this parking lot.”

“Hey that’s a long walk all the way up to the light.”

“Seriously, you know you need the exercise. Didn’t you just tell your wife you wanted to start walking again?”

So I walked up the sidewalk and waited for the light to change so I could cross the street. I approached the young man. "This may sound crazy, but God said to bring you these” I said reluctantly. (Hey, if you had tasted these potatoes, you would hesitate too!) “Thanks! These look just like my mom used to make!”, he exclaimed. There was no question he was hungry. He started eating them as quickly as he could. After another “Thank You!” and a prayer together, I made my way down the hill to my car. I was potato-less, but all I could think was, “Well played God, well played.” It was all good. He needed them much more than I did. I hope I never get over the “voices in my head”.

 

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you,

saying,  “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:20-22 NIV