About 130 PM today the doorbell rang and a city worker was there to inform me they were cutting off electricity for about an hour to repair the lines. Oh, great, I thought, nothing to do for the next hour, might as well leave and get the chores done.
    So my youngest son, Devin, and I, who both needed haircuts, left to get that done and to pick up some groceries to pass the next hour. We went into Kroger, not my usual grocery spot now, but near the haircut place and on the way home. As we passed down the aisles I noticed a very elderly gentleman shopping alone, putting just a few items into his cart. I had the distinct impression from the Lord to speak to him, but I went on about my business and said nothing. Again, when we got to the dairy aisle, he was getting eggs, which I also needed, so I reached over beside him to get eggs, again feeling I should speak to him, but again I remained silent. I pushed my cart on down the aisle where Devin was ahead of me getting another item, and again, unmistably, I knew I should go back and speak to him.
   I left the cart with Devin and walked back to the gentleman, who was still near the eggs, and touched his arm, to ask "Are you doing OK today?" He was hard of hearing, and leaned down to have me repeat what I had asked, and this time I added, "You know Jesus is coming soon." He looked at me with sad, watery eyes and said, "Yes, I know. I hope He comes very soon."
     He stopped and took out his wallet, and I knew what he was about to show me. Yes, there was a picture of his beloved wife, whom he told me had gone on to be with the Lord 40 months previously. "She is there waiting for me and I cannot wait to join her."
    "Yes, I believe you will see her soon, just as I will see my sister who went to be with the Lord. The Lord told me to speak some encouraging words to you today."
    He began to weep and said, "Thank you, thank you!" and then put his arms around me, and I returned his heartfelt hug. I told him to be watching and looking up, ready to go when we hear the trumpet blast very soon.  Again he thanked me, and we smiled and parted.
     I caught up with Devin, who had been watching all this, but could not hear the words that were spoken. He said, "Mom, I think you upset that old man."  I replied that on the contrary, I gave him hope, and then told him all that was said, and how I knew the Holy Spirit had been prompting me to speak to him. We finished our shopping, and as we drove home I explained to Devin how the Lord  arranged for the power to be turned off at that precise time, how we just happened to be in Kroger at that very time when the old gentleman was there, and that three times the Lord gently nudged me to go speak to him, not giving me peace until I was obedient.
    Now I cannot say that he was about to go home and swallow a bottle of sleeping pills, and my encouraging words gave him renewed hope, but we will never know until we meet again in glory. But Devin witnessed and also received a blessing by being there. He came home greatly encouraged, as I am, and a witness to the ministry of the Comforter, our Holy Spirit. Praises to the Lamb of God! Come quickly Lord Jesus!