We couldn’t find a bathroom

It was our first full day in Bellingham. We got pizza to go, went to the park, and spent the evening taking in the beauty of the mountains, the serenity of the ocean, and the warm colors of a brush-stroked sunset. 

When we left the park we stopped for ice cream downtown with intentions of using their bathroom. The ice cream shop had the inside closed-we could only order and eat outside. No bathroom. 

I put the campground’s address into the gps, searched for a gas station along our route, and headed that direction. We hopped out of the van to a sign on the gas station door that read “No public restrooms.” 

The team decided to just head back and hope to find something along the way. The drive was 30 minutes and we’re all adults. So we can hold it, right? 

A few minutes letter we came to an intersection that had multiple gas stations and a McDonalds. I said, “McDonalds keeps their bathrooms clean,” and pulled in. 

When I walked out a man walked around the corner of the building and asked if I could spare any change. My wallet was in the van and I knew I didn’t have any cash on me so I apologized and kept walking. 

As I climbed in my seat I felt a nudge by the Holy Spirit. I asked Raquel if the man had asked her for change as well. We decided to go offer to buy him food. He requested 2 quarter pounders (one for his girlfriend), 2 fries, a coffee, and a coke. 

When we took their food we asked their names-Chris and Jessie. After chatting for a few minutes we asked if we could pray for them. Chris responded, “the best prayer you can ever pray is for the world to set aside their differences and be kind to one another.” The four of us then talked about Jesus, why He came, and that He said it was better for Him to leave so that the Holy Spirit would come be with us.

I don’t know their stories, I don’t know their struggles, but I know God used our bodies, our need for a bathroom, to bring us to that McDonalds. 

I recently heard someone say, don’t go into areas (homeless, refugee, etc.) and expect to bring Jesus. Expect that He is already there, already working, and that you get to partner with Him. This has changed my perspective when talking with people. Last night instead of praying, “Jesus come be here with them,” I prayed, “Jesus let your presence be known.” I don’t want to have a savior mentality. I dont want to encounter people and think that I’m the answer-because that’s far from the truth. I want my hands, heart, and mind open to whatever God is doing. Yes, we fed people last night, but what if the counter was more for my heart than theirs? God only knows what is in our hearts. Maybe He’s stripping things away from mine to allow me to see those people as people who are loved by God, rather than someone I can bless while passing through. Isn’t that what we all want-to be seen and known?

I even struggle to share stories like this because I don’t want attention or recognition for them. I share without knowing the whole story. I share without knowing Chris and Jessie. I share without knowing the bigger picture. 

But, I share this tiny piece because stories have power. Because maybe someone needed to read this today. Because you need to know that God exists, and He loves you, and all He wants from you is to receive His love.