The Prophetic Turkey (aka "Where It Began")
Earlier this year, I began feeling a stirring in my heart telling me that I needed to be more generous. I certainly don't feel stingy by any means, but something has been pushing me to give more. Give more WHAT was not clear to me. My husband and I both give financially in a way that makes us feel good about it. We tithe roughly 10% of our salaries and bonuses, we are putting away a substantial amount each month for college tuition, we are paying 1/2 of my mother-in-law's mortgage and allowing her to live in the house rent free, and beyond our monthly tithe, we also donate monthly to three different Christian radio stations. Periodically through the year, we give to various charities or organizations that call upon us - although admittedly we say NO to the solicitations more often than we say yes. We buy from every school kid that comes to the door selling something, whether it's a magazine subscription, candy, wrapping paper, or cardboard boxes. OK, we've never had anyone try to sell us cardboard but if they did, we'd probably buy. We put money in the Salvation Army kettles, buy popcorn from the Boy Scouts and cookies from the Girl Scouts outside the local supermarket, and donate our used clothing and household items rather than holding a garage sale. Twice recently, I've anonymously paid for the meal of the person behind me in the drive through at Chick-Fil-A and yet.... somehow this was not satisfying my need to be generous.This November, our church held their annual "Turkey Fest" where members of the church family bring turkey dinners to families in need. But THIS year? Something new and exciting was offered - the "Prophetic Turkey" option! The gist of this was basically to show up at the church, attend a little exercise about how to hear from God, and let God lead you to someone to deliver the turkey dinner as opposed to picking up a pre-printed name and address. This sounded SO cool! As this was announced in church, I jabbed my husband in the rib cage and said "I totally want to do this!" He was not similarly affected, but whatever.
On the day of the Turkey Fest, we encountered some logistical problems and could not be at the church at the designated time. I figured hey, God stirred this up in me, he'll find a way to work it out. I grabbed my box full of turkey and dinner, wrote "Every good and perfect thing comes from God" on the side in black marker, and headed out about 2 hours later for the "second wave" of deliveries. My heart sank when we were told that the Prophetic Turkeys were all gone and that the Hearing from God session had concluded hours ago. I deflated in front of my husbands eyes. Several people (including my husband) said "you don't need a CLASS to hear from God. Just go out into your car, pray about it, and let God work out the rest." No, I need a class. I am totally new to this. How do I know if it's GOD saying "That guy over there!" or me saying "Let's just give it to that guy and be done with it." I was so bummed but walked sadly back out to my car where my own un-prophetic turkey and dinner was waiting in a lonely box.
As we drove to another part of town, it occurred to me that the direction we were heading was near an apartment complex where I lived in my very very early 20s with my first husband. That complex has since become Section 8 (welfare) housing and it occurred to me that there were probably lots of families in that area in need of a free turkey dinner. I directed my husband to the area and pointed out both my first and second apartments - both in the same complex. After driving around for a bit, I said "why don't we say we'll just give it to the first person we see wearing red?" See what I mean about needing a CLASS for this? First person wearing red. Pft. What a cop out.
We drove back to the townhouse I rented when my daughter was born and my husband suggested I knock on that door and give it to them. We debated about who to give it to when my husband pointed to a woman standing in the back of a pick up truck cleaning it out and said "Why don't you see if she needs one?" Was this God leading HIM? I doubt it. I think he was creeped out by this part of town and just wanted to leave. But, I got out of the car and asked her if she needed a turkey. As it turns out, she was visiting from out of town, but suggested I ask the woman she was visiting. Her name was Keisha. I knocked on the door and was greeted by "COME IN!" (and a rather intimidating "come in" at that).
Sparing unnecessary details, I'll tell you that Keisha seemed pretty wigged out when I walked into her house and wanted to know who I was and what I wanted. But she was downright giddy when we told her we had a turkey dinner for her, if she needed it. She freaked out when she saw that we had a whole box of food for her - turkey, gravy, potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cookies, cake mix, so much stuff it almost didn't all fit in the box. We asked her if she wanted prayer for anything and she told us she was really struggling financially. No surprise there... this is Section 8 housing in the middle of a recession. She offered to let us pray for her right there in the parking lot so we put our hands on her and prayed for her - it was really kind of cool. She went back into the house and we drove off.
Did God lead us to Keisha? Or did was she just convenient? I don't have the answer for that. Is Keisha a drug addict? An alcoholic? Does she even know God? Does she pray? But really... does it matter? I did what I felt I should do and gave the turkey dinner to someone who appeared to appreciate it. And even if she DIDN'T appreciate it, that's really not the point of discipline. It wasn't supposed to be about me or about my ideas of who is worthy or who deserved it. It was supposed to be about going out in faith. Which I did. It's up to God to work out the rest of it with Keisha.
But interestingly... that girl in the pickup truck that we approached? Keisha's friend? She had a bold streak of bright red hair on her head. So, we did give it to the first person in red after all. I know, I'm probably stretching to find meaning in this, but again - this is why I need a class.
posted by Kermit the Vixen @ 10:05 PM
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