There is a woman here who I absolutely adore. She is such a role model and I look up to her so much. The more I hear about her story, the more I feel connected to her, and the more I recognize that there is indeed hope for the person I will one day grow to be.
This weekend, I had the opportunity to go to the beach with her and some other women who also work in ministry near me. On the first evening, we worshipped together. I was standing behind this role model of a woman, and when she put out her hand- her weathered, freckled, watch wearing hand- I remembered that above mentioned hope... and lyrics from a song I had listened to on repeat the day before.
“'Cause I can see the person you'll become…
The downfalls of this year don't mean a thing…
All you have to do is love on people…
I see you now, you're beautiful to Me…”
And I started to cry. Sheesh, Rosie! Just from looking at a hand?!
I just felt like God was reminding me, “There’s hope…” and, “Look at all these people I’ve given you…” because yes, I sure am blessed to have the awe inspiring, influential people in my life that I do.
I didn’t know exactly what to do with this moment, so I recorded it in my journal, and just stored it there until the end of the weekend. But on our last morning together, I arrived late, and got stuck sitting in a front row, side-angled chair… with a perfect view of a lot of women who love God and people.
I just stood there looking at their faces. There is nothing more beautiful than women wearing His praises. And I felt an invitation, “You can be like these women… if you want.”
I haven’t figured this out completely, but I feel it has something to do with the way God creates a person. He creates you with your specific interests, desires, and skill sets for a reason. There is no one else who could fill the role you fill, the way you do.
He gives us free will (and personality) for a reason. And sometimes, when making a decision we focus so much on trying to find “God’s perfect will” for our lives that we forget that He is a loving father who WANTS to hear our hearts, to know what we desire, and to take into consideration the individuals that He created us to be.
Thanks God, for being a good, good, father, who is overjoyed to give us option, work with us, and be surprised by us, His children.