In the midst of COVID turning the world upside down, I walked into church and saw my high school science teacher. I was amazed to learn her daughter was in college, as surely I was just in college completing my preteaching in her daughter's third grade classroom.
I was overjoyed to have a little piece of home in one of my favorite places. (And still in shock that her daughter wasn't in fifth grade because that could've only been two years ago.) The Lord, in His goodness and sovereignty, started making beautiful things happen. She and a few other girls from my hometown were coming to Auburn. This was close to my heart, as I remember moving from that sweet, little town to this huge town (that people call a small town, and I'm always like you have no idea) as a college student. I remember the people that invested in me, and I remember how God used that time oh so beautifully to mold me. The Lord compelled me to seek out the possibility of a Bible study. And to be honest, me of little faith, I wasn't sure how it would go. I remember that season of life of exams, SI sessions, papers, etc., and it can be a lot. But the Lord proved me wrong. These girls were found fully faithful. They were vulnerable, open, and my heart was overwhelmed as I watched their friendship and was reminded of the friends God gave me in those years that constantly lifted me and challenged me in Him. It was our last night together before they left for the summer, and they wanted to see Jordan's and my wedding video. I was almost in (happy) tears, but I nervous laugh, and our wedding always makes me nervous laugh because I mean all eyes on you. Yikes. I listened as my college pastor walked down memory lane. I rejoiced in knowing that in my college years, I came to know Jesus personally as my Savior. I giggled at the John Deere floor mats that were once in my 1998 Honda Accord. I swooned at Jordan in his tux and the stories of how he constantly served me, even before marriage. And I just stood in amazement. I never wanted to leave my home town. But I reached a fork in a road where it was basically a must as far as college. It. Was. Terrifying. Leaving my hometown ended up with a college major change, new friends, new church, and new life in Jesus. From there, I divinely ended up at a school for internship, where I landed a job, and ultimately met my husband. Since then, I've had the most amazing opportunity to spend my days with amazing kiddos and build relationships with incredible families. My precious church from college merged with another church, and from there, Jordan and I had the opportunity to serve college students. What a beautiful, beautiful ride it has been. As we watched the wedding video, I was just so thankful for people who poured their love of the Lord into me, and I stand amazed at the opportunities He has now gifted me. Yesterday was sweet. One of my dear friends in our college ministry willingly agreed to take pictures to give my Bible study girls a chance to get elegant for the prom they missed because of COVID. As I watched her take pictures, I just couldn't help but praise God for who she is. At a young age, she has committed to the things of God. She loves deeply. She has a big heart for others. She loves Jesus, and it is so evident with the joy that she spills out everywhere she goes, and I was so encouraged and grateful for the opportunity to know her. I sat back in amazement thinking about one of the girls, who ultimately rounded everyone up for the Ruth study, was the daughter of one of my very favorite teachers from high school. When I was in college I had to do a preteaching experience, and I was actually in her classroom, and then now she sits in my living room digging into God's Word. She has the sweetest, most humble heart, and she is willing to hold her friends accountable. I've also heard many stories of encouragement she offers them, and it inspires me. I did not grow up in church, but my grandparents would take us and friends would invite us here and there, and one time we got pretty involved in youth group. Although I didn't know the Lord personally, He used that time in my life to teach me about guarding my heart, and I'm so thankful because He protected me in many ways. During that time, we participated in something called Disciples in Action. Each Sunday, we met together in small groups to go through Scripture that we had meditated on that week. There were many adults who poured into that time. One of those adults happened to be that dad of one of the girls that now sits in my living room. This girl is so smart and committed. She also is willing to do hard things. I think she is courageous and precious, and I know God is going to use her life to minister to many. One of these girls was an absolute stranger to me, and she's a firecracker. She is so bold and just. She is willing to stand up for what she believes in, she loves all things country, and I hear she makes a mean mascot. She has reminded me of the importance of standing firm. When we started the study, we had a party of four, but part of the way in we became a party of five, and that fifth member was the perfect addition. I stood amazed at her ability to carry a conversation and be personable. There's nowhere she goes where she meets a stranger, and she carries herself with a humble confidence. I firmly believe this is a gift that can and will further the Gospel. And so now the happy tears are flowing, as I look back and see these puzzle pieces that didn't make sense to me long ago come together into a thing of beauty. Some of those puzzle pieces were hard, and I didn't want to place them, but I am so glad that God is sovereign. If I had had my way, and if I did what I thought was right, I'm sure I would be in a big ol' mess. But I sit here today, just overwhelmed at salvation, my husband, people who invested in me, the job I get to do every day, and the people that sit in my living room and Sunday school class each week. How wonderful it is to have friends in Jesus. If you're walking through something difficult, I just want to offer a word of encouragement, and I don't at all mean for it to sound insensitive or cliche because I know it to be truth. Jesus Christ takes ashes and turns them into beauty. I've seen this in my life too many times to count, and so I want you to know that as His child, there's hope, and if you don't know Him, you can, and the hope and joy He offers is truly out of this world.
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