Joel is an elderly man probably in his late 60s, but you would only suspect that by his hair colored gray and his very feeble precise movements, everything else in his nature was youthful and adventurous.  I had the opportunity of meeting Joel one afternoon in July.  I had decided I was going to take my lunch break out of the office, that day had been particularly hectic and nothing sounder better than some sweet moments away from the continuous hum of incoming phone calls.  I drove to Silver Lake, parked in my usual location -- beside the lake so I could see and smell it, but far enough away from the park and beach so that I would not be distracted by noises, and simply be available for the Lord to speak to me. 

With a sigh I let out the stress from the day and asked, "Ok, Lord, what would You have for me today?? What can I do for You??"

I started my lunch and praised God along with Hillsong in my car.  I knew it, somewhere deep inside, I was hungry for more than lunch, for more than my average job, for more than my low pay -- I wanted to be used!  I wanted to be a vessel that He could do BIG things through.  Move mountains!  "Lord," my heart cried, "I want to do so much more than this, I want to help people, I want to speak of Your love and life.  I feel stagnant here."

I continued to eat my lunch and stare off into oblivion.  Silver Lake is a small lake but it has big life.  I was in this place where I found all of nature and my surroundings to be endlessly beautiful.  "Wow, God, You made all of this!!" I thought aloud.  Just as that thought crept out of my mind, what seemed all too ironic, Joel pulled his old red pick up truck in front of my car.  I was amused. 

Like a cat watches fish in a tank, I watched Joel.  Let me say, it was not in the manner of wanting to capture the fish that I watched him, but in a way, was perplexed and intrigued wondering what he was doing.  As I watched him, he carefully made his way to the back of his truck.  Finally, settling my curiosity, he pulled out an inflatable raft! I laughed at this – a raft!  He had two ores, life jacket, and everything!

Suddenly, I was prompted.  My Spirit said, “Go!” I looked around a bit, almost as if someone from behind me had tapped my shoulder.  “What? I don’t know him.  Go? Go where?” I questioned.  With no response to my questioning I dismissed the thought as “my imagination” and tried to enter back into my praise and worship time.  Now, however, my heart was heavy.  Heavy is the truest word to describe it, my chest felt weighted down, it ached almost as if my body was fighting against a cold or congestion.  That is exactly it!! I was feeling the fight, the war, going on within my body!!  It was the very battle that has gone on since the beginning of time – between my flesh and my Spirit.  Within seconds I heard my mind arguing as it began to swarm with gibberish.  Such a small task, I knew what “Go!” meant – I knew. 

I looked up to see Joel had pulled out a camera and took a picture of the lonely raft sitting on the banks of the lake awaiting its afternoon journey.  That wrenched at my heart – and I was prompted again – “Go!” This time I could not ignore it; I took a deep breath and stepped out of my car.  This is how I met Joel: Father, grandfather, camper, truck devotee, swimmer, friend, drinker, risk taker, food lover, and life liver.  He loved my name, as a matter of fact; he said he had a sail boat with my name, “Mary Katherine.” I smiled.  He said, “If a vessel has a name, it gives it character, no matter the size.” He went on to tell me of his trips to Canada and Duluth, about his friends, and many adventures they had had.  One story even included the many details of how a bear had ransacked their camp site.  He had lived many years, but his age did not keep him from continuing on with the things he loved to do. 

God used me, which is exactly what I had been asking Him to do! I was so excited that I obeyed the Holy Spirit and even in being a blessing to Joel I was blessed back. God is good!