And Then There Was One @ Prodigal Returns!

And Then There Was One

Posted on September 6th, 2009 Richard 12 comments

[Translate]
June 11, 2009

I gained a new Twitter follower, she was one of several hundred at the time. I liked her Twitter moniker and teased her about it. We interacted no more or less than average until she sent me an encouraging note not quite a week later. I get a lot of these from Christians who have gone prodigal for some period of time, so I was not surprised that she identified herself as a prodigal returned after an absence of two years.

I began asking her about her journey, as is my custom with prodigals, and she quickly said that she loved her church. I was doing a poll at the time about people’s experiences and views of their church so I fired question after question at her. She fielded them gracefully and honestly so I asked her to check out my story at http://ProdigalReturns.com hoping she might give me input. I created the website and shared my own prodigal journey months before, but I wasn’t getting any traffic or input.

June 29, 2009 noon

My new follower completed my survey of attitudes and experiences in the local church and shot me an email from the site saying that she loved her church and felt like love separated it from many others. However, she did not always feel love herself, she wasn’t sure she was the kind of girl that belonged in church. She was really nice so I wondered why she would feel that way.

June 29, 2009 1:24pm

Something happened … she said she read my story and thought it was amazing. She thanked me for sharing so openly, said her hands had begun to shake and she knew it was “weird” but she had the feeling that she could trust me, whom she had never seen, as she trusted Jesus, who was unseen.

What followed was a Spirit-inspired avalanche as her entire being gave up every skeleton, ghost and impedance she had carried for more than 25 years. I know well what the weight of this kind of burden feels like, she was right in the middle of discovering God’s deep cleaning. I was stunned as the torrent of email after email prayer naming the one who had done her wrong and releasing the burden of unforgiveness and shame, concluding each email with a note forgiving that person and praying that God would save them. Less forgiving, in each case I replied with a prayer of agreement but changed each ending to ask God to save them or kill them.

With the release of each harrowing burden, I could see her demeanor and her language change. As God lifted her up and away from each, she began to pour the fruit of the Spirit into every tweet and every communication. You may know her, I am obliged to leave her unnamed.

She’s easy to spot, she’s one of the most influential Christians on Twitter. God set her on fire and she burns as brightly today as she did on June 29, when everything was changed as the Spirit moved through her. She reminds me that she still burns for her Jesus almost every time she comes on to Twitter with a poignant but simple Tweet, always the same: #Jesus . My response, always the same: #GodWins. If you ever see Mr. Sheepykins (pictured top right), know that she is lurking nearby, laughing at my expense.

The irony is that she blesses me everyday, the student is now the master. You go, girl, you go. You are proof that all things work together for our good, even the ugliest and most regrettable moments are masterfully weaved into a mighty tapestry by He who loves entirely and rescues the broken.

In a vain attempt to dim this bright light for Jesus, the enemy has attacked her and left her with few worldly goods. She sold those and gave the money to her children so they could find a place to live. One of her children is within a few months of graduating high school, two more have already graduated. As it stands today, this family is going to split up in order to find accommodations.

A fund exists to help this family and they need the help right now. Please prayerfully consider helping and please circulate this blog post on Twitter and Facebook, and on your own blogs. I personally vouch for this real need and have prayed with her for God to intervene now and not compromise her witness and His glory. Thank you for sharing in her journey, in any way God leads by visiting here:

The Tweeple Fund

Possibly Related Posts:
Tweet
Also of Interest
12 responses to “And Then There Was One”
1. Marie September 6th, 2009 at 20:48
  
  I 2nd this fund whole heartedly! My sister and I both have already made our contributions and would gladly do it again to help a dear sister in need.
  
  She is a bright light for the Lord and I’m honored to know via twitter. I can only imagine how this fund would grow if everyone that viewed the link gave what they could. A thousand people giving a few dollars will add up quickly.
  
  I pray that people will not worry about “how much” – and just listen to their heart. There’s no joy like spreading joy and your gift of any size will be giving BIG to someone who makes a huge difference to everyone around her!
  
  Your heart will be blessed beyond measure when you help someone that can never repay your kindness. Trust me – try it – you’ll see!
  
  @mcprodigal and @liftjesushigh May the Lord richly bless you for your compassion and how you bless those around you!
2. The Plural Thing September 10th, 2009 at 08:40
  
  This is going to be my new favorite hangout. I didn’t know you had a blog or that it shared so openly and honestly. You are truly a blessing. I’m on my way to donate as well.
3. Richard September 10th, 2009 at 09:32
  
  Thank you “The Plural Thing”. For more open and honest sharing see God’s story in my life here:
  
  http://ProdigalReturns.com
4. Ly Syin September 18th, 2009 at 16:59
  
  I have been following prodigal for a while but I don’t I have visited the blog much. This is a wow internet story. It proves twitter ready does work and can be used for good. I can’t wait to see it become an even more powerful tool for evangelism
5. Richard September 18th, 2009 at 17:12
  
  Thanks Ly. The world is changing … again.
6. Blessings from being a servant | Syinly'sweblog.net September 18th, 2009 at 17:50
  
  [...] I was able to witness a miracle via the internet. A woman and her children are able to avoid being homeless. Had I not been active in public relations ministry I would have missed the tweet and missed [...]
7. Richard September 18th, 2009 at 17:54
  
  We have reached the goal for this person for The Tweeple Fund. Thanks to all who gave generously and sacrificially.
  
  This is a great testimony to the church loving one another as God loves the church.
8. Richard October 14th, 2009 at 20:03
  
  It’s over!!! God has provided a new apartment for this dear friend and her family. God wins again!!!!!!!!!
9. darla October 14th, 2009 at 20:51
  
  thanks for posting this. our GOD is mighty to save! I know my own prodigal story, and I believe that HE holds her in HIS hand..will be talking to my hubs and praying about how I can help
10. Richard October 14th, 2009 at 20:56
  
  Prodigals embraced here. Check out my post: When You Love a Prodigal for the advantages of the prodigal journey.
11. Anonymous November 28th, 2011 at 02:39
  
  everyone has his prodigal story thanks for your share, its good to know that our God is there for us to save us the lost sheep. It is always happiness in heaven when a sinner is saved. strive and come back to God.
12. Nancyshanice November 28th, 2011 at 02:40
  
  everyone has his prodigal story thanks for your share, its good to know that our God is there for us to save us the lost sheep. It is always happiness in heaven when a sinner is saved. strive and come back to God.
Leave a reply

Name

Mail (will not be published)

Website

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

© 2010-2012 Prodigal Returns! All Rights Reserved -- Copyright notice by Blog Copyright

Uses wordpress plugins developed by www.wpdevelop.com