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8 minutes

It's very hard for me to tell this story, because I don't want any focus on me. I considered not telling it, or pretending it was someone else's story. I prayed about it, and here we are. I think it's important to say that I pray before I write any blog, and then I wait for confirmation before posting any blog.
It started as a normal enough day. I had a million things to do, before I had to race back home in time to get the boys off the bus, and wait on the people in our small group to show up. I was in Sam's club, for a specific item, when I saw cozy thick blankets on sale for $9.99. I wasn't even headed in that direction, when I heard the Spirit say "get 2." I picked up 2 of the blankets and put them in the cart. I thought it was getting colder outside and I'm sure I will pass some homeless that need a blanket. I got a few more items and left the store. I went over to another store and got a few items there as well. Last place I had to go was to Little Caesar's Pizza. I'm a den mother by default and I have to feed my small group.
As I was heading out of the parking lot, I got stopped at the red light. I saw a man, who was very clearly down and out. He had a pitbull at his side. He had a sign of cardboard pleading. I didn't even read it. I immediately got out 5 dollars and handed him the money, and one of those comfy new blankets. He thanked me, I blessed him. I started to drive away, feeling pretty proud of myself, when the Spirit spoke again "What you do for the least of these, you do for me. Five bucks and a blanket is what you would do for me?" No, definitely not. I thought about where I was going next. Okay, so I will get him a pizza. That's what I'm doing for my family, and friends. That is what I will do for this man. I pull into the Little Caesar's parking lot. I go inside to get hot-n-ready pizzas, because I'm already running late, and I want to get home. The man behind the counter tells me that the hot-n-readys aren't ready. Wait, what?!
It's in the title! Hot-N-Ready! Sorry ma'am. It's going to be 8 minutes, man says. I sit down defeated. I had a plan. I came to get pizza, then I was going to go back and give it to the homeless man. Then the Spirit said "don't worry about the man. Just be obedient." Okay, so I sit and wait. Finally the pizzas are done. I get back in the car and head back to where I saw the man. I couldn't even believe what I saw. He took that brand new blanket, and wrapped his dog in it! Of course! I remember hearing that a homeless person with an animal, will always take care of the animal before themselves. Like a parent would.
I drove back over to him, gave him food, and then handed him the second new blanket. His name is Joe and he's a very nice man. Please pray for him.
You see, the hot-n-readys couldn't be ready. God is in complete control. He needed me to be still for 8 minutes, so when I got back over to Joe, I could see, that the second blanket the Spirit told me to get, was also for him. So many times I ignore the soft nudge of the Holy Spirit. Oh, but when I'm obedient, He blesses me greatly. I need to learn to trust Him in the waiting because He always has a purpose. And a lot can happen in 8 minutes.

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