“The Lord reassures me of His call each time I listen to the heart of or have an opportunity to encourage one of God’s daughters. I see the pain. I know the pain. I’ve found the freedom, and I want to share.”
Seven or eight years ago one of my girlfriends invited me to attend a women’s bible study. A group of women met for 8 or 9 weeks, reading and discussing the book Showing Mary, by Renita Weems.
I’ll be honest; I don’t remember much about our time together. Yet the one thing I will never forget is the very moment the Spirit of the Lord enlisted me to share the pages of my life’s story with a young woman I didn’t know at all.
I remember it like it was yesterday. She was bound. She was broken. She was desperate. I recognize the bold, piercing stares of those three predators anywhere; I’ve seen them glare at me through my own mirror. Bound…Broken…Desperate.
One evening, as this young lady was sharing the heartbreaking story of her then current situation with the group, I distinctly heard God’s whisper. His instruction was clear. I was not to leave without tending to the wounds of my sister. I had no idea what I would say to her, but I knew leaving that church without allowing the Lord to use me would be blatant disobedience.
So I did go speak to this woman. What I said back then escapes me, but I left her with my contact information and an open invitation to call me anytime.
And she did.
I was honored to walk with her for years. Our journey together blossomed into a beautiful friendship. I’ve had the extreme pleasure of watching God transform her life, moving her from a place of darkness into the glory of His marvelous light of truth.
Saturday, while hanging out at a local mall, one of my girlfriends and I encountered a woman. She stopped to talk to us after overhearing one word from our conversation. We later learned that pain laced with alcohol gave her the courage to pour out her brokenness on complete strangers. Out of the abundance of her heart her mouth spoke, revealing stories of loss, adultery and abuse. The look in her eyes was familiar – bound, broken, and desperate.
Before she walked away, I asked if I could pray with her, and she agreed. As the three of us huddled together holding hands, her weeping became the forlorn melody to my fervent prayer for peace, healing and direction. I can only imagine what other issues of her life rolled down her cheeks in the drops of her tears. After my friend and I encouraged her a bit more, I gave her contact information, and she went on her way.
As Saturday’s dust settled, I began to reflect. First, I thought about my encounter from days gone by with the woman who is now one of my sweet friends. As the Lord would orchestrate, she called me on Thursday. Next, I thought about my She Speaks Scholarship Contest entry. I just narrowly met the Friday deadline. Then, my thoughts naturally drifted toward God’s sweet daughter I’d met only hours earlier. Tying all of this together, my mind came to rest, once again, on these words from my contest post:
“The Lord reassures me of His call each time I listen to the heart of or have an opportunity to encourage one of God’s daughters. I see the pain. I know the pain. I’ve found the freedom, and I want to share.”
Father, in Jesus’ name, I thank you for continuing to use me. Amen.
Wise, Virtuous, Valuable,
Wow. Amen. I could feel the Holy Spirit quickening me as I read your post. My prayer is that I am that sensitive to His leading as I go through my day…at the gas station, in the grocery store, etc. There are so many people hurting, and we can show them The Way. We MUST show them The Way.
Sharon, I have been praying that prayer, as well. Fact is, if she hadn’t reached out to us I may have passed her by and not paid any attention. I want to be sensitive enough to see them, sometimes, even before they see me. I thank God for the opportunity, though. Been thinking about her ever since.
What a wonderful spirit you are. This world could use more people like you!
Thanks for being so inspiring!
♥.•*¨ Elizabeth ¨*•.♥
Elizabeth, thank you so much for visiting my place! I love to see new faces and connect with new women, so I was delighted, honored, and humbled by your comment. Please come back to visit soon!
Monica
I am blessed by your testimony on today. I have sometimes been discouraged by not seeing what I expect in ministry, but it is not about numbers it is about souls. I want to thank you for reminding me that if I can reach one soul then my life is not in vain.
Diandra
You know, Diandra, when I first started this blog, I was only writing once every 2 months. I was a bit discouraged, because I was over-thinking my posts and what to write about, and I couldn’t see how it was impacting the lives of the women who were so heavy on my heart. Then one day my sister’s sister in law came by our home and asked me where my “newsletter” was. At first I had no idea what she was referring to. Then I realized she was talking about this little blog. I told her I was still doing it. I had no idea she was reading my posts and being encouraged by them. After she walked away, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and reminded me to simply “focus on the one”. No matter where I am, who He places me in front of, whether it’s 10, 10,000 or millions, look for that ONE woman who needs the message, that one woman who is thirsty for a drink from the Lord and focus on her. That message from the Lord has stayed with me ever since, so I am no longer consumed by what I think my ministry should look like. I focus on the one, whoever she may be (and sometimes that ONE woman is me…). That day in the mall, the woman we met was thirsty. She needed a touch from God, and I was delighted to be used by Him to touch her and reassure her that He loves her. There are women out there who need the message the Lord has given you. Be certain of what that message is, and focus on the one. Thank you for visiting Diandra, and I hope you will come back often.
Monica