Hey y’all!
This month has been interesting. It’s been long and exhausting. It also has been filled with learning and growth. The Lord is strengthening us this month, and it’s so awesome to see.
It’s crazy how at the beginning I couldn’t hear him. But now, I hear him all too clearly. He’s renewing and refining my heart for his. I yearn for his love, and his love to be poured out of me. And I believe his love has been pouring out, in unexpected ways.
Around this time last week, I was hanging out with my new little friend (I’ll call her Rachel for this story). I had been encouraging her to write/talk about her story for a couple of days then. Anyways, Rachel and I were sitting by the waterfall, coming up with ideas of ways to tell her story. She was having a difficult time trying to think of what to say. About 20 minutes go by and she just sits there and starts crying. I immediately go to her side and give her a little hug. With tears in my eyes I just ask her to tell me what she’s thinking. Her response was something I’ll never forget. She tells me how she feels helpless, especially with recent events that happened with her family. She keeps it all inside because she doesn’t want her parents to stress about her too. She doesn’t know what to do. She hasn’t told anyone because she doesn’t want it to be about her.
My heart broke. No little girl should have to be in this situation of fear. I told her and pointed her to God in this time. I ask if I could pray for her, and she said “yes”. While we both sobbed our eyes out, I tried to bravely ask God to help her, comfort her, and allow her to get the courage that she needs. Then.. the lunch bell rang. I gave her another hug and we went for lunch.
I couldn’t eat that much for lunch, I just sat there quietly (which isn’t that unordinary :P). My teammate comes up to me and asks if there is something wrong. I just shake my head “no” and start to tear up again. So we go back to our dorm room and I tell her about what happened. She tells me how she loves my heart for this girl, Rachel. She encouraged me to write her a note and allow her to see God’s love through me. She also told me that maybe this is a way God is showing me how to see/hear him. He wanted me to feel his heart break for this girl, and in return my heart broke.
This past week I have been working on writing her a letter. Actually, multiple letters.. I plan to give her something to read once a month for the next year. In these letters I make sure she knows she’s loved, God is all around her, and that she just needs to reach out to him. I think these letters have spoken to me… more than it may ever speak to her.
Steadfast, that’s my word for this month. That no matter if I can hear God or not, or if I choose to listen or not God is going to stay the same. He will always stay loyal and faithful in those times, even when I may not be. He’s not going to change, but in being steadfast, I will be changed to be more like him.
James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
It’s crazy to think that on this race I want and maybe will be able to see people changed and turn to God. But in return he’s changing me as well. Guys.. God is so cool and crazy. But I love it.
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading!
Laiken
Thank you for sharing your heart!!