This week I had a special friend on my heart, and unexpectedly saw her Thursday night. Our friendship began almost 5 years ago when I went into local neighborhoods with our church to share about Jesus. We had one door shut on us, some not at home, but at this particular house a girl answered the door and we prayed with her. The whole time we were there on the doorstep, someone was inside washing dishes at the sink. (That was my friend I was soon to meet.)
Weeks went by, and the girl we prayed with took the same road she'd been on--addiction, bad relationships, using people to feed her habits. The girl who we heard in the kitchen that day reached out for change. She had not even been in the conversation but was tired of the same cycle of lies and addiction. She was saved, baptized, and has been through many ups and downs. Over time, the relationship with her daughter has been restored and trust has been rebuilt with her mother (who is raising her daughter). She has even recently bought a home! We are talking about someone who went from place to place, never really settling down, who fled when the pressure built up----this is so amazing! It is all God!
For those of us who know this dear friend and have watched the transformation unfold, it is absolutely astounding! There is no explanation, but GOD!!! My friend once told me something about the day we knocked and shared about Jesus' love for them: they got in the car that afternoon to go get more drugs as they had planned, they got behind a truck with a big cross in the back window, and were so spooked that they turned around and went home. Conviction had set in, and they each had a choice, as we all do. My heart breaks for the one who chose meth over her children and her own life. But the story isn't over until she takes her last breath. And for those of us who have chosen God for this lifetime, we will celebrate for eternity with our Creator. This will make the struggles we have now seem so insignificant.
The journey in my thoughts this week really began with the fear I once had about witnessing. I was going to generally write about it, but each specific life impacted is important to God, so I'm thankful you took the time to read about what God can do in a life. None of us is too far gone or exempt from His unconditional love. I heard someone say: it's not about going out to witness a few times a year; you ARE a witness in all you do and say, in your normal day to day stuff. This really takes the pressure off, because anyone knows their own life story and what God has done in you or your family. We can learn to say so, whether at the checkout line at the store, or over a long chat, and let someone know about God's goodness in your life. It's important to share this with a world needing hope and love.
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17, NKJV)
