BUY YOURSELF A BOOK

Wandering the maze of London streets, taking the leisurely route home from school, I stopped to look at some books outside a shop advertised for 1 pound each. Nothing really caught my eye, but as I was browsing a jolly old chap fronted up to me and said in a thick accent, “And whereabouts are you from young man?”

We chatted aimlessly for a bit and then he asked me what I was looking for. I said I was just browsing and most probably wouldn’t buy anything. He started to walk off then came back and said, “You’re probably not going to feel comfortable with what I’m about to do . . .” My selfish sinful heart immediately thought he was about to ask me for money, but as I looked down he was pressing a ten pound note into my hand saying, “ . . . buy yourself a book. I’m Irish! Buy yourself a book!”

As I tried to say no, they’re only a pound and make other excuses, he started to tell me, “Look my name is Jerry Ward. I’m from Ireland but I’ve got cancer and I’m over here for treatment. Now this might seem a bit weird – but buy yourself a book and say a prayer for me.”

I said I would and started to mumble how God works in mysterious ways. I don’t think I’d felt so uncomfortable. Then I realised that God was saying to me – look Jono what an opportunity. So I asked him if I could pray for him right there. And we stood in the street and prayed. It was a prayer of thanks. A prayer asking for strength for Jerry and a prayer of repentance from me.

We embraced and Jerry wandered off into the shadows of the evening with tears in his eyes. I stood there agape for a few minutes – wondering at the ways of God. Then realised I needed to buy a book. I found a New Testament which I have purchased. Now I wonder who God would like me to give it to.