I have been praying that the Lord would show me opportunities to speak truth and encouragement to the people in my life, and that I would be open to interruption so that I can fully engage in those conversations.
Two hours ago, as I was finishing dinner with my host family, I was planning: I needed to get started on my blog and newsletter and was thinking how to motivate myself to get them done without falling asleep. (Two and a half hours of eating and chatting each night has a way of making me very ready for bed.)
My gameplan was to do a facemask, put on some comfy pajamas, make some camomile tea, and sit in bed and write until both were sent off to the world.
I didn’t even get through step one before Oleah (8) peeked through the door from our shared courtyard. With my face half covered in orange goop, there was no getting out now—the questions started. What are you doing, why is it orange, is it sticky, will you wash it off, will it help with the red spots on your face, can I peel it off? About this time Robina (13) also joined the growing party in front of my bathroom mirror.
My evening of mellow, soothing, productivity was gone and I knew it. And because I have been praying that the Lord would open opportunities for me to speak truth and encouragement to the people in my life, and that I would be open to interruption so that I can engage in those conversations fully, I knew what was happening.
So of course my first thoughts were whyyyyyy do I have to be interrupted right now? And does this opportunity have to be when I have things to do?
But when Oleah picked up my Bible from the couch and Robina began flipping through it and asking what it was, I was ready for where the conversation might go. Meaning I really wasn’t ready at all honestly. I still speak with bad grammar and limited vocabulary, and it can feel daunting to try to share truth and encouragement.
But the ensuing conversation allowed me to listen as Robina shared her belief that all people have sinned but everyone’s good deeds are weighed against their sins and if a person’s good deeds are found to be wanting, they go to hell.
I was able to share that I believe my good works could never outweigh my sin—there is just too much! But God knows this and He had a plan to take care of my sin, so I could be with Him again—a way to make sure our sin wouldn’t separate us anymore. We talked about how God sent a ram to Abraham, how Jesus is the only prophet in her tradition who never sinned, and how I believe God sent Jesus to die and take my sins, so like Abraham’s son, I would be spared. And then I taught her to braid my hair.
Being interruptible is hardddd. I mean on days when I actually have a plan, I want nothing more than to stick to it! But man am I glad that God is interruptible when I need Him. So tonight I’m reminded that the Lord is meeting me in my prayers, providing opportunity to speak truth and to listen and to have spiritual conversations with my sweet sweet host sisters.
Lord keep growing a spirit of interrubtibility in me. Even at the cost of my face mask and camomile tea.
With love,
Evelyn