Canal Day 330

John 7:6  Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right."

Saturday our outreach committee worked at Canal Day in Chesapeake City. MD. Canal Day is a 36 year old event that attracts thousands of people to the historic town for a day of outdoor festivities.  People browse the waterfront community enjoying craft vendors, seafood, carnival fare and music.  However, over the years this once family friendly day, has evolved into a Mardi Gras style celebration.  Boating, boozing and "guys and girls gone wild," behavior has taken over the water basin.

Our outreach participation was part of the town`s attempt to return this event to a  family event, discouraging the wild partying.  Our church is located in the center of town on our lawn we hosted family-friendly activities.

  As we prepared for the day, I was approached by a lady in distress.  She was a vendor from Columbia, MD, she disparately needed to use our bathroom.  She was near a full blown panic-attack in her search for bathroom facilities.  As I directed her to the bathroom, tears flowed and she was over taken by anxiety.  As she departed, I inquired about her well being, once again the anguish and panic took over, as she began to sob.

With peace and tranquility in my soul I ask if I could pray for her.  While sobbing and trying to catch her breath, she accepted my offer.  The Holy Spirit provided me with the exact words that she required.  After introducing ourselves, my new friend Lisa, thanked me for reminding her to focus on Jesus; of course that Holy Spirit did all the work, I was merely willing and obedient to His call.

Philippians 4:4-6  Rejoice in the LORD always, I will say it again; Rejoice!  The LORD is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.

Later in the morning, our Jacob`s Well praise band(not your grandmother`s church music) ushered hundreds of guests to the day`s festivies.  Words of praise to the LORD blanketed the town for blocks.  I can imagine God`s smile, as he read the headlines in two local papers: "Canal Day goes family- friendly," and "Annual celebration two festival in one.  Family-oriented activities in town--and Mardi Gras with boater on the water." 

Today, I e-mailed my new friend Lisa, thanking her for the blue wooden rose that she gave me.  She introduced me to her husband, Linwood, as the lady who prayer with her; reminding her to focus on JESUS!  I encouraged Lisa to "pay it forward" as they travel selling their wares as, "L and L Creations."

Philippian 4:7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I pray that the words that I prayed with Lisa, penetrated her mind and soul and that she will work and walk in the PEACE of the LORD always!   Amen.