Sunday, June 28, 2009

Amazingly In Tune


But my servant...had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully... (Num. 14: 24)


Whenever I think of following the Spirit I think of our friend Jesse. We met Jesse at USC when we first moved to Los Angeles. He was a well-built, rough-and-tumble guy from East L.A., a native-Californian, with roots stretching clear back to when California was still part of Mexico. He had one arm that was just a stump — it had been caught in a meat grinder at work when he was a teenager. He was now at USC doing graduate work in educational psychology. I’ll always remember the day he helped us move to our new apartment in the ‘hood, carrying our sofa with one arm...and a stump.

Jesse had an uncanny ability to take instruction from the spirit; he lived very close to the Lord, despite his rough exterior. I can remember many times in our USC days when Jesse would just show up on somebody’s doorstep and announce, “Hello, Brother Griffin. The Lord told me to bring you a pot of soup,” or some such thing. I loved how bold he was about that. I might have been willing to take someone the soup, but perhaps not confident enough to say flat-out that the Lord told me to do it.

Then one day Jesse was sent in my direction. It was a wintry morning and we were out of town, but there was a message from Jesse on our answering machine: “Good morning, Charrette. This is Jesse. The Lord told me to call you and tell you He loves you.” Doesn’t sound like too big a deal, unless you recognize the timing and the circumstances — something too soon for anyone to know. Something we hadn’t announced yet. Jesse miraculously had called me on the very morning my mother passed away. Within hours of her passing. That could only have come from the Lord. And oh, how I needed that message from God right then!

I was in awe at how humbly and precisely Jesse was willing to take direction from the Spirit. And I was touched that the Lord cared enough about me individually that morning to find such a reliable messenger to tell me He loved me. Thank you, Jesse.

18 comments:

Sandy M. said...

O to be one upon whom the Lord can rely..

I like your painting of the temple :)

Kazzy said...

I have chatted with Jesse here and there on FB recently. He had some good things to share about his life and choices concerning working at the university. Good man, humble man. Thanks!

Kristina P. said...

What an amazing story! I wish I had a Jesse in my life. Or that I can be someone's Jesse.

Melanie Jacobson said...

What a sweet man. I don't know if I'm always in tune enough to recognize true promptings from the Spirit to do such things. This story makes me want to recommit to being a better listener.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

This has my eyes brimming with tears, and a yearning to be an instrument in the hands on the Lord the way that man is. What a beautiful story.

Jessica Stock said...

Wow, I am amazed by people like Jesse. I want to be that in tune with the Spirit . ..

Luisa Perkins said...

I love his boldness and his obedience.

That painting is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Charrette, I live for your posts. They are all that is uplifting, thoughtful, and kind. After wading through the world, your posts elevate one to somewhere higher. Thank you.

InkMom said...

Lovely, as always.

I have a Mary who, like Jesse, listens, and then does. She's been bringing my family chicken & dumplings since I was a little girl.

(Your post last week was also beautiful -- heartwrenching, but beautiful. It made me want to go read your archives. What else have I missed?!?)

Unknown said...

I have a number of people in my life who are like this. They are an incredible blessing in my life. And can I say again how much I enjoy your blog?

Ok, I will.

Charrette, I really enjoy your blog!

Stephanie said...

Wow. I want to be like Jesse.

And you.

Little GrumpyAngel said...

What a blessing to have someone like Jesse in your life. What a privilege to know someone who listens and hears and serves.

Barbaloot said...

Sounds like a wonderful man. I'm glad he was able to help you when you needed it.

Heather of the EO said...

WOW. Oh lady. I love this post. Well, I love all your posts (which I've been totally behind on) but now I love Jesse too :)

What an amazing gift.

Heidi said...

The world needs more Jesses (and more Charrettes)

Mrs4444 said...

Choking up here...

Brillig said...

Beautiful story. Sigh. I'm so not that person. And too often in my life, I've been manipulated by someone saying that they were doing/saying/calling/reprimanding me because the Spirit told them too. I've therefore avoided saying or accepting such things, and that makes me kinda sad! Sounds like Jesse was for real. What a neat guy!

Gunfighter said...

and the whole church said Amen!