Over the past year, Jesus has been prompting and preparing Kev and me for a new way of living. I'm not exactly sure what that is right this second, but I'm finding with God, He only reveals what I need to know when I need to know it. A lesson in waiting, to be certain. That's okay. More patience, Lord.
One of the ways God has been working on us is by encouraging us to take risks for Him. I'm not sure if any of you are familiar with Come&Live, but the founder, Chad, started a "One Thousand Risks" journey where he'd simply take risks to love on and pray for people everyday wherever he was. Except, as most of us know, when the time comes to step out of your comfort zone, it's really not so simple. What will people think? How will I be received? What if whatever I'm saying to them doesn't connect to their situation? Will God really work something good out of it? Anything God is calling you to do will bring glory to Him, so it will most definitely be met with a little if not a lot of resistance, just in your own heart. I'll explain a little better with my short story:
Before Naomi was born, I felt like God prompted me to clean out my overly excessive wardrobe and give it to the neighbor girl down the street whom I've never talked to. I did the easy part of cleaning out my closet. Then the bags of clothes just sat on the floor...and sat there...and sat there. Every single day, and I really mean everyday, for the past (probably) five or so months I thought about taking those clothes to her. My nerves got the best of me every time and I just chickened out. I really couldn't think of any legit excuses not to other than that I was just too nervous.
Today was different though. Today I was being selfish and sad, so I knew I needed to be obedient to God. He gently told me to shift my focus off myself so that others might know He loves them (yes, through you and me!) Faith comes in believing that God actually could, would, and DELIGHTS in advancing His kingdom through His people when we are obedient to do so. It's not us, it's Him, and we are just vessels!
Anyway, so for my very first risk, I packed up the clothes today and drove them down the street to Jessica's house. She has a name! Wow, there's power in just asking what people's names are. They are real people! I knocked on the door, butterflies going wild in my tum, and Jessica answers, "Oh, you are just the person I was hoping would answer the door!" Thanks, God! I told Jessica I'm a Christian, learning to hear from and be obedient to the Holy Spirit, and I felt like I was supposed to give her these clothes. She was super stunned and honestly didn't have very many words to say, but was very smiley and receptive. I must have caught her off guard, as I know I would be in that situation. I gave her the clothes and asked if there was any way I could pray for her or her family. "Yeah, actually, my mom has breast cancer." Oh, wow. Ok, God, let's do this! We joined hands in the cold on her porch, I thanked God for Jessica's mom, and for Jessica and her brother. I thanked Him for loving them. I asked God to heal her mom of cancer and thanked Him that he delights in doing that for His creation. I prayed also that God would draw the 3 of them closer to Him. I think He will.
Drove back home, super pumped because YES! God is good and why wouldn't I want to share that with others? Jesus, help me be more bold for you. Thank you for grace and for your gentleness with me through this long season of learning and trusting.
-Adrienne
