THE CHICKEN SANDWICH
One morning, I was about to attend a religious seminar. I was in a hurry that I decided to just eat breakfast at McDonald's. I ordered a chicken sandwich meal which also includes a cup of softdrink and french fries. I was reading something on my mobile phone when God in a flow of thoughts asked me to give my chicken sandwich to someone in need. I told God, “ I’m hungry. Maybe next time.”
As I was browsing though my phone, enjoying my french fries, suddenly someone came and reached out to me his hand faced up. Since my eyes are glued on what I was reading, I didn’t see who approached me. So my first reaction was to raise my right hand and waived at him saying. “No, I don’t want what you’re offering.” God whispered, “Give him the chicken sandwich.” That’s when I took my eyes off my phone, looked and found out that the person who approached me was a young man dressed in shabby clothes. The beggar was slowly walking away looking for other people to help him. God again whispered, “Give him the sandwich.” I took my sandwich and rushed to the beggar. I tapped him on his shoulder and gave him the food. He said thank you and left.
I decided to buy another set of chicken sandwich meal and went back to my table. As I was about to open the wrapper of the chicken sandwich, God, again told me, “Don’t eat that chicken sandwich. Give it to another person in need.” I replied to God saying, “ I would just bite a little to have a taste of it, Lord. I’m really hungry. Just a little bite and I’d settle for the french fries. I took a bite off the sandwich and wrapped it back.
I went to the Philippine International Convention Center to attend the seminar. I wasn’t familiar with the spacious floors and area of the building that it took a while for me to discover where the Comfort Room for the Ladies are. There were no persons I could ask directions to. I walked and walked until my feet brought me to the place I was looking for. I saw a janitress mopping the floor. God told me to compliment the janitress. I did. I told her, “Wow! You’re so industrious! I appreciate what you do in keeping this place clean. Good job!” After doing what I had to do, I went out of the cubicle and smiled at the janitress. Then out of the room I go. I was thinking and figuring out where I would go to get back to where I came from, when the janitress went out and approached me. I smiled at her and asked, “Yes? What is it?” She asked me, “ Can I talk to you, Ma’am? Could you please spare me a few minutes of your time?’ I replied, “Sure. What’s the concern about?” She asked me to get back into the Comfort Room which we did. She told me she’s been planning of taking a suicide.” At that moment I prayed to God, “Lord, guide me to help this lady. I don’t know what to say.” And I asked her, “why think of such thoughts?” She poured out to me all her miseries and told me how broken her heart is ever since that day her lover left her. She said she hadn’t eaten any food for days now. She wanted to die. I remembered God telling me that the chicken sandwich was for somebody in dire need. I told the lady janitress about how much God loves her. I shared with her how God repeatedly asked me not to eat the chicken sandwich and to save it for someone who badly needs it. God even led me there to her place so that I could tell her how much God loves her. I told her our meeting is not a mere coincidence. It is the will of God for me to meet her to let her know that God doesn’t want her to commit suicide. That God has a bright future for her and her children. That God has her in His heart and mind. She’s not forgotten. She’s thought of by the Almighty God. The fact that God wants me to give her the chicken sandwich means she is important and valued. That she was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. That Christ died for her. Tears fell down from her eyes. I cried with her as I shared with her the truth of how much God dearly loves her. I embraced her. Then, I told her I took a bite off the sandwich and how I was telling God I wanted to eat it because I was so hungry but since God said it was for someone who needs it, I placed it back to its wrapper. I showed her the chicken sandwich and said, “I’m sorry I took a bite. This is for you. God wants me to give this chicken sandwich for you. Can you see how much God loves you? Promise me you’ll eat this and trust God that He’s got you on the palm of His hand. Pray and live a good life.” She said yes and thanked me. I left her with a smile on her face while holding the chicken sandwich.
I pray that you would all loudly hear the gentle whispers of God. Know that God speaks tenderly to us in ways we don’t expect Him to, but He truly does. Either He would speak His love straight to you or use someone as an instrument or channel to communicate His love. At times, God speaks through us and we become bearers of His love to others who need love.
May we all be God’s love to all the people in need. May each of us in our own simple ways be “Jesus” to all our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Whatever good deeds we may offer, whether big or small, we have been given this opportunity to serve others and be God’s burning love for all people and even to ourselves. Let us keep the love Jesus taught us burn in all our hearts.
God tremendously loves you. Don’t keep that love to yourself. Share it with others.
God bless you, all!