One of the Craziest Things That Happened to Me

As a pretty new Jesus follower, I was happily surprised by the Lord most every day. But this day was crazy.

John was in Michigan, so the boys and I wanted pizza for dinner. Going about my business, I went to the shopping center to run into the pharmacy for a couple of items, then walked down to the other end of the shopping center to pick up our pizza. As I was walking along, the owner of our dry cleaners was standing outside his doorway, waiting for me. He said a "high" prostitute wanted to leave her pimp and asked if I could take her home with me, that I was the only one he thought would help her. What in the world? Why would he think that? — were my first thoughts. But out of my mouth came, "Yes! I will take her home." He said he would get her at the end of the walkway and bring her back to me.

So, after I picked up our pizza order, I went to meet the neighborhood prostitute named "Trudy."

At home I introduced Trudy to the boys, and we had dinner. Then John called, as was his habit when he traveled. I told him the big news of the day — I brought home a "high" prostitute with the pizza. He quietly listened to my story, then said, "Put Steve on the phone." I went back to our guest while John spoke to Steve — for some time. I may not remember correctly, but I think he talked to Mike as well. Then it was my turn again. I did not consider the consequences of my actions. So John said I was to remove the phones from Trudy's reach so she could not call her pimp to pick her up. I assured John that I did not think she was aware of the directions to our house. He gave further instructions to have her sleep upstairs, and to have Steve sleep downstairs in the living room, making sure that no unusual activity would take place. Again, maybe Mike as well, if memory is correct.

I stayed up with Trudy, hearing her story as to how she got to this place. She said her mom and grandma took her to church as a young person, and that she loved singing in the church choir. We sang a couple hymns together and talked well into the early morning, as she came down from her drug of choice. She said she wanted to get out of the business but her pimp prevented her from leaving. I gave her some options to help her find the way out of her lifestyle. It would require courage and change on her part, but she could get out of the business. I took her to her room to sleep and also to consider her options.

During breakfast in the morning, I asked Trudy her decision — did she want me to make the arrangements for her to make a break from her current lifestyle? She thanked me for the opportunity but chose to go back to her pimp. She called him and explained where she spent the night, and told him she was coming back.

I prayed with her, and drove her back a different way to the shopping center parking lot, where her pimp would pick her up. I asked her to reconsider, gave her my phone number, letting her know she could get help anytime.

To my surprise, I got a phone call the next day, asking if I was the church lady Trudy stayed with. I said that I was. He was calling to confirm her story, and to find out if I really was a "church lady."

I never heard from Trudy (or her pimp) again, but I never forgot her, or that very crazy experience that Jesus arranged for His purposes.