BAMarch April 2021

Divine Interruption

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV).

After dropping off my family at a lake near our home, I shifted our minivan into gear and headed to the library. While my husband and sons fished, I intended to get down to homeschool planning for the new school year.

I anticipated starting second grade with my son and had in mind some topics I wanted to cover. Now I needed resources. I would search for poetry and titles on science subjects, as well as jot down lesson plans. I wanted to faithfully steward this special season in my children’s lives. With just one vehicle in our family, I had limited time before needing to retrieve them from their fishing spot.

Summer afternoons in Florida swelter with unbearable heat and bring an almost daily rainstorm. So, books and papers in tow, I headed for an empty table in the air-conditioned library. That’s when I noticed a man wearing women’s boots and a long, red Little Mermaid-style wig. He wandered around the bookshelves until he caught my eye, then pointed to the dark clouds forming outside the windows. I smiled and responded to his comment about the weather. Then he shifted his attention back to the books, and I returned my focus to homeschool planning.

Moments later, the man began talking about hurricanes he’d lived through, something we had in common. He seemed nervous yet interested in having a conversation. Standing above me at my table, he then volunteered (without any questions from me) that he didn’t always dress in women’s clothes and that he didn’t fully consider himself a woman. He shared details about his young son too. I listened intently, surprised he would share with me — a stranger — so vulnerably.

I flipped my notebook closed. I guess You had a different plan for my afternoon, huh, Lord? In that moment, I decided to follow the opportunity the Lord had presented instead of following my own plans. I recognized that this chance might never show up in my life again. God also gave me the grace to understand that if He’d called me to teach and train my children through homeschooling, I could trust Him to provide time for me to accomplish necessary planning.

After I moved my books, the man sat down with me. He mentioned his ex-girlfriend, some mental health struggles, and difficulties with family members. Then spiritual matters entered our conversation. He shared about his faith background. Sensing this interaction to be a divine appointment, I asked the man if I could pray with him in Jesus’ name. He agreed. Laying my hand atop his, I prayed he would know God and understand God’s plans for his life.

Once our conversation finished, I hurried to retrieve my family. Packing up my barely used supplies, I recognized something much more vital than homeschool planning had taken place that day. By clearing my agenda (and my table), I’d accepted God’s invitation to offer hospitality to this stranger in a crimson wig. I thank God for entrusting me with a divinely orchestrated opportunity and equipping me to be faithful with it.

Latest posts by Allison Wilson Lee (see all)
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
5 Reasons the Church Needs Administration 5 REASONS THE CHURCH NEEDS ADMINISTRATION Previous post

Allison Wilson Lee has written for such publications as PRAY, Christian Living in the Mature Years, Purpose, Keys for Kids, and Primary Treasure. Her stories have also appeared in various Chicken Soup for the Soul editions. Allison served for over 20 years with Cru, an interdenominational ministry, on three different continents. She lives in Belle Isle, FL.

Related Articles

BAMay June 2023 May 5, 2023

Light and Lamb

In a perfect world, it’s easy to be kind to others because they are… About Latest Posts Allison Wilson LeeAllison Wilson Lee has written for such publications as PRAY, Christian Living in the Mature Years, Purpose, Keys for Kids, and Primary Treasure. Her stories have also appeared in various Chicken Soup for the Soul editions. Allison served for over 20 years with Cru, an interdenominational ministry, on three different continents. She lives in Belle Isle, FL. Latest posts by Allison Wilson Lee (see all) Divine Interruption - March 12, 2021

BAMay June 2023Print Edition May 1, 2023

THIS ISSUE

May June 2023 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W: English / Spanish Web Version INSIDE THIS ISSUE ARTICLES 4 Light and Lamb | Jody McCoy 7 Christ Our Peace | Kelsey Gjesdal 8 True Light | Dr. Donna M. Sherwood 14 Mission: Jubilee! | Bob Hostetler 18 Toward Humility | Brian Franks 20 Throwing Stones | Samara Harvey 21 Compassion On-the-Go | Virginia A. Johnson 22 Broken . . . Now Free | Priscilla Tate Gilmore 28 Disciples on a Mission | Daniel Flores ONLINE EXTRAS Hear the Bible Advocate read aloud: EP 009 – May-June 2023 https://baonline.org/podcast-player/29771/ep-009-may-june-2023.mp3 Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 01:26:53 | Recorded on April 30, 2023 ARCHIVES Founded in 1863, the Bible Advocate is one of the oldest religious magazines in America. Scroll down to view magazines from 2005-2019, as well as a few from earlier dates. Click here to browse our archive of articles dating back to 2010. 2023 January February 2023 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W: English / Spanish Web Version March April 2023 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W: English / Spanish Web Version 2022 January February 2022 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version July August 2022 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version March April 2022 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version September October 2022 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W: English / Spanish Web Version May June 2022 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version November December 2022 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W: English / Spanish Web Version 2021 January February 2021 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version July August 2021 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version March April 2021 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version September October 2021 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version May June 2021 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version November December 2021 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version 2020 January February 2020 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version July August 2020 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version March April 2020 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version September October 2020 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version May June 2020 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version November December 2020 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version 2019 January February 2019 Digital PDF:  English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version July August 2019 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version March April 2019 Digital PDF:  English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version September October 2019 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version May June 2019 Digital PDF:  English / Spanish B&W:  English or Spanish Web Version November December 2019 Digital PDF: English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version 2018 January February 2018 PDF:  English / Spanish Web Version July August 2018 PDF: English / Spanish B&W: English / Spanish Web Version March April 2018 PDF:  English / Spanish Web Version September October 2018 Digital PDF:  English / Spanish B&W:  English / Spanish Web Version May June 2018 PDF: English / Spanish Web Version November December 2018 Digital PDF:  English / Spanish B&W:  English or Spanish Web Version 2017 January February 2017 English PDF Spanish PDF July August 2017 English PDF Spanish PDF March April 2017 English PDF Spanish PDF September October 2017 English PDF Spanish PDF May June 2017 English PDF Spanish PDF November December 2017 English PDF Spanish PDF 2016 January-February 2016 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March-April 2016 – English PDF, Spanish PDF May-June 2016 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2016 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September-October 2016 – English PDF, Spanish PDF November-December 2016 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2015 January-February 2015 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March-April 2015 – English PDF, Spanish PDF May-June 2015 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2015 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September-October 2015 – English PDF, Spanish PDF November-December 2015 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2014 January-February 2014 –  English PDF, Spanish PDF March-April 2014 – English PDF, Spanish PDF May-June 2014 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2014 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September-October 2014 – English PDF, Spanish PDF November-December 2014 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2013 January-February 2013 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March-April 2013 – English PDF, Spanish PDF May-June 2013 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2013 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September-October 2013 – English PDF, Spanish PDF November-December 2013 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2012 January-February 2012 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March-April 2012 – English PDF, Spanish PDF May-June 2012 –  English PDF, Spanish PDF July August 2012 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September-October 2012 – English PDF, Spanish PDF November-December 2012 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2011 January-February 2011 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March-April 2011 – English PDF, Spanish PDF May-June 2011 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2011 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September-October 2011 – English PDF, Spanish PDF November-December 2011 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2010 January-February 2010 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March-April 2010 – English PDF, Spanish PDF May-June 2010 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2010 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September-October 2010 – English PDF, Spanish PDF November-December 2010 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2009 January-February 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF April-May 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF June 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF October-November 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF December 2009 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2008 January-February 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF April-May 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF June 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF October-November 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF December 2008 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2007 January-February 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF April-May 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF June 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF October-November 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF December 2007 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2006 January-February 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF April-May 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF June 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF October-November 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF December 2006 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 2005 January-February 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF March 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF April-May 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF June 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF July-August 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF September 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF October-November 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF December 2005 – English PDF, Spanish PDF 1968 March 1968 Issue – English PDF April 1968 Issue – English PDF 1967 February 1967 Issue – English PDF 1936 February 1936 Issue – English PDF About Latest Posts Allison Wilson LeeAllison Wilson Lee has written for such publications as PRAY, Christian Living in the Mature Years, Purpose, Keys for Kids, and Primary Treasure. Her stories have also appeared in various Chicken Soup for the Soul editions. Allison served for over 20 years with Cru, an interdenominational ministry, on three different continents. She lives in Belle Isle, FL. Latest posts by Allison Wilson Lee (see all) Divine Interruption - March 12, 2021

BAMarch April 2023 April 28, 2023

Welcomed and Welcoming

On May 8, 2021, our father, Pastor Pedro S. Capetillo, was laid to rest… About Latest Posts Allison Wilson LeeAllison Wilson Lee has written for such publications as PRAY, Christian Living in the Mature Years, Purpose, Keys for Kids, and Primary Treasure. Her stories have also appeared in various Chicken Soup for the Soul editions. Allison served for over 20 years with Cru, an interdenominational ministry, on three different continents. She lives in Belle Isle, FL. Latest posts by Allison Wilson Lee (see all) Divine Interruption - March 12, 2021