Every morning, as I worked the crosswalk, I saw a young man wearing a hoodie with his head down. I barely saw his face. He looked straight ahead and didn’t say a word as I greeted him. “Good morning.” I would shout as he crossed. Yet, I would not get an echo of his response. I thought maybe he thought I was weird, and I should say nothing. I used to let my ego voice interpret negative assumptions in my mind. They didn’t help anyone. The Spirit of the LORD says in the Bible that those thoughts are like a spider’s web. We can’t make clothing out of it, or it can’t carry the weight of a burden. It doesn’t hold on to anything useful other than spinning lies and deception in the minds of a wicked person. Every morning, I made it a mission to acknowledge him; to let him know that I see him. Each day, for about a month, he walked straight ahead with his head down. I didn’t think he recognized my efforts to greet him. Still, I continued to acknowledge him. I also acknowledged every child who walked across my path. I would welcome them with a friendly greeting, like “Ola, Buenos Dias, and Sup!” They couldn’t help but smile or chuckle.

I knew something wasn’t right. I knew in my spirit that he was dying inside, and I had to do something. I saw in my spirit a war waging against him, as I saw many times before. Sometimes, I had to act unexpectedly, like saying or doing something crazy to make someone laugh. Laughter is medicine to the soul. And God allowed me to make him laugh. My actions were intended to pull him out of the snare, caught in the web of the devil’s lies. Praying to God to draw them out of their pits of despair. Yet, I also recognize that praying for them daily is a nurturing process, a rehabilitation from the battle wounds. So I ask the LORD to surround them with His loving kindness and give them His peace. When our hearts are at peace, we are more receptive to God’s love. Our hearts are open to pouring out His goodness to others.

I used to wonder if anything I did made a difference in someone’s life. I believed ministry was about preaching from a pulpit, just like a television evangelist. That’s not true; Jesus went out and ministered to the lost. He went out and healed. He continues to minister through those who are willing to be His hands and feet when we lay down our lives for others. Sometimes it can resemble hugging someone, listening without judgment, or refraining from offering unsolicited advice; that’s a hard one.

I know, without a doubt, that I am in the right place. Every morning, I walk the children across the street. I show them that they are seen, loved, and cared about. When they don’t show up, I let them know that they were missed. I am happy to see that they are well.

The Word says in James 1:26-27: Those who consider themselves religious but do not keep a tight rein on their tongues are deceiving themselves. Their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts is pure and faultless. It is to care for the orphans and widows in their time of distress. It also means to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Working at a school can be a challenging experience. You see children struggle with real-life issues. You see broken spirits, and some are crushed beneath the words of an abusive parent. If you happen to be in the right place at the right time, that is called “Divine Intervention.” So I prayed for the Lord’s divine intervention on behalf of this young man. I can’t say how or what happened. One morning, I saw him coming toward the crosswalk. He was smiling, and he didn’t have his hoodie. I tried holding back my happy tears, and I told him that smile looked great on him! He no longer wears that hoodie, and he walks with his chin up.

It doesn’t really matter where you are and what condition your heart is in. My broken heart allows God to shine through the cracks of my vessel, and He is glorified. What I get to see are changed lives through Christ and rejoice in His goodness with the students I serve.

Jesus said, “It is not what I do, but My Father who is in Me does what He does. (John 14:10)

“He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” Malachi 4:6