Rossly

Preaching in the moment...

Preaching in the moment. I am really finding out the true meaning of that these days. Take yesterday, for example.

First, let me say that a lot of this is new to me. I have NEVER preached. Never even thought about it until recently in my life. I don’t profess to be skilled in the Word, or to have had ANY real practical experience in evangelism. I’m wet behind the ears!

Yesterday began as any other. I had NO big plans except for my weekly ZOOM call with my writing coach and aspiring authors. I wasn’t expecting anything unusual or different. Just another day. What occurred yesterday happened in the spur of the moment. I was not prepared…or, at least I thought.

During my Zoom call, I had my phone on “do not disturb.” I swear I did. Well, apparently I did not. Hearing the phone ring totally surprised me. I was caught completely off guard. And, instead of just denying the call…I picked it up. Something urged me to “answer the phone.” So, I did.

I had no idea who it would be. I wasn’t expecting any calls. But for some reason…

Upon finding out it was a representative from Xfinity, I was greatly disappointed. I interrupted my group meeting for THIS?!?!? I couldn’t believe I had let myself fall for it. No doubt a solicitation call of some sort. You know the kind….the kind you usually say, “Not interested.” and just hang up. But something said, “Don’t hang up.” So, I dismissed myself from the Zoom session for a moment.

The young man on the other end of the line was talking to me about MY account. Oh. So it might just be relevant. I had been having some issues with the company regarding my mobile service (who doesn’t) and thought this could very well be worth my time.

He proceeded to tell me about my combined mobile and internet service. It was a courtesy call and, for that reason, I was…courteous. The man was trying to explain to me that my subsidy for cheap internet was ending effective the new year. At that time, he explained, my rate would change. I had to stop him and ask: “What will it be?” It was going to triple.

Hold on! I stopped him and said that despite his cheerful and happy manner about my rate almost TRIPLING, this was NOT happy news for me! I live on a fixed income! I was eager to end the call but then…”Don’t hang up on him.” I heard it once more. I let him talk.

After dismissing myself from my Zoom call, we bantered back and forth, getting to know each other a little. I even jested with him a bit to lighten the mood. He actually was being very nice. Polite. Professional. Empathetic. I let him talk more. He then told me that this was the best call he’d had since working at the call center. I told him, “You get what you give.” He said my words gave him goose bumps. I could hear it it his voice. He was being totally sincere.

He explained that he usually experiences angry customers or hang-ups…call after call, day after day. He began to sound like he was going through a very tough time. He confirmed that further by explaining how he’d been having a difficult time recently.

One thing…Rossly referred to me each time as “Sir Robert.” I had to laugh but didn’t say a thing. All I could envision was me sitting at a Round Table with a BIG goblet of wine.

This call had gone from a very basic business call to something more. The rest of this call was nothing like the first half. His name is Rossly. He said he was raising 3 daughters. He’s 34 years old and having a tough time financially and otherwise. Something told me to ask: “Do you pray?” He paused a while and I knew the answer by his silence.

I was simply going to say that he needed to turn to prayer. That’s all. Nothing more. But that had changed. I said, “Rossly, there are more than 2 hands on this call.” Again with the goose bumps! I had tapped into something very deep and personal. Rossly was raised Catholic but had veered in his faith, or lack thereof.

“You did not bring this to God but He knew of your despair and frustration. Since you did not bring it to Him, He brought me to YOU.” Rossly was really feeling the emotional bond between us and I thought he may begin crying. I told him our call was NOT one of coincidence. I truly believe I was telling him what God wanted him to know. It was like all I had to do was just open my mouth and let it happen.

He then told me that he didn’t care if our conversation would cause him issues with his manager. Rossly let it be known to me that he hadn’t been able to talk about these things with anyone. He had been wanting to seek some friendly support and someone who would listen. That person was me.

I then gave him my personal email address and urged him to contact me at anytime and we could talk it over. Rossly was very open to that, saying he got off work in 3 hours. So I urged him to contact me. Then, I asked if he could transfer me to his manager so I could compliment him. He didn’t have the necessary method available but said, “Sir Robert (!), my manager is STANDING RIGHT HERE.” “Hand your manager the phone,” I said.

Another coincidence?

Her name was “Sayee” (sigh-ee’). I gave her a glowing recommendation for Rossly and explained that IF I was to consider changing carriers and it was the difference of only a few dollars I would stay for one reason: Rossly. I wanted to be sure she knew that and also to hopefully prevent any blowback on him for such a long call. I used to be in the business and know such things…

With that, I ended the call. I stood for a moment trying to comprehend what had just happened. I felt electric, buzzed, full of energy…full of the Spirit. I had reached our to a young man who had been looking for something and wasn’t finding it. Until our call.

Rossly, by the way, is 8,629 miles away…in the Philippines! All of this happened in an instant, in a moment in time. Everything had come together for me to reach out to him:

• THIS particular individual

• THIS particular place

• THIS particular time.

I had NO way of knowing about what was to happen. It WAS God’s perfect plan. I also feel that God has been grooming me for such a thing. The day BEFORE, I had asked God about evangelism and had asked for a sign. Was this His will for me? Well, as Bill Engvall of the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” might say: “Here’s your sign.”

I have had a couple of “street preaching” moments before this…and now this one. It gives me so much awe and wonder that God is doing this WITH ME. I do not take the credit. I even told Him I was his “vessel”, His arms, legs, eyes, ears and voice.

So…give yourself ENTIRELY to God. The 2 most powerful words in prayer? “Use me.” Let God take control of your life if you want to find out the direction He wants you to go. “Let Jesus Take The Wheel” as Carrie Underwood sang. And who knows? You may just “get what you pray for…”

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