According to Webster's Dictionary, bang means: "to strike sharply."
My friend Ed and I were struck sharply by the Lord last night. It wasn't a violent or negative strike. It was a blessing...from Jesus. I think when we're hit with a blessing it can feel like a grenade exploding in our hands...not always, but sometimes. I like to call these: Blessings With A Bang. This form of blessing isn't only associated with a financial blessing. This "sharp strike" can come when a husband or wife simply says, "I love you" (BANG!).
When we witness our children make godly, righteous decisions in the face of temptation (BANG!). When shattered, dysfunctional relationships are suddenly restored and transformed (BANG!). Or, when we witness someone we've fervently prayed for drop to their knees in true repentance and faith with a heartfelt desire to believe in Jesus (BANG!).
Blessings With A Bang can come in all shapes and sizes.
Jesus said, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him" (NIV, Matthew 7:11). For the last year, many of the cafe volunteers have been asking Jesus for a special gift. And last night, He answered those prayers with a sudden BANG!
My dear brother Ed enjoys treating me to movies. (I enjoy it too.) He took me to see the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace. We walked in the lobby and it was surprisingly quiet for opening night. I expected to see some die-hard-fans dressed in tuxedos. (The way people dress up as Darth Vader wielding a lightsaber or as the furry, lovable Chewbacca for the new release of a Star Wars movie.)
But it was quiet. No tuxedos...not even a fancy suit or fake machine gun. Because of the slow atmosphere, I had the opportunity to reconnect with a friend from the past. The General Manager (GM) of the theater.
The GM asked me, "What have you been up to?"
"I manage the Cafe 41:11 on the square."
"Oh yeah?" the GM replied. "I've been meaning to stop by."
Before I could reply, the GM asked, "Hey, do you need a cappuccino machine?"
"Yes!" I answered. "We've been praying for a cappuccino machine for nearly a year. Ours died on us and we haven't had the money to buy one."
"Follow me," The GM said with a smile and a gentle wave of her hand.
She took us into a back room. There, on a shelf, was a commercial cappuccino machine, a coffee grinder, and a BUNN airpot coffee brewer.
"You can have these machines. All I need from you is a letter stating we donated them and that you have possession of them. Along with a sheet stating your non-profit status."
(BANG!!!)
I was stunned. Goosebumps flowed across my skin. From my head to my toes. (The same way a rock thrown into a pond causes ripples to spread on the surface of the water.)
My buddy Ed wasn't surprised, but I was. I stood there in awe with my hand on my chest. I thanked her and she gave me a big hug. We exchanged contact information and made arrangements to pick up the equipment later this coming week. Then, Ed and I made our way to the concession stand. As we waited for the cashier to fill our bucket of popcorn, Ed reminded me, "This is standard operating procedure with God, my brother."
It felt like Jesus answered a year of prayers...instantly...with a snap of His finger. It felt like a great, big Blessing With A Bang. Jesus gave us a good gift. The way He promises to do, according to His word, for all who believe.
I wonder? I just wonder if Jesus waited until this time to give the cafe this gift as a one year anniversary present for being faithful to Him.