Yesterday, I spent the late afternoon in a square downtown Berlin. It was one of those days where you feel more alive than ever and can sit back and honestly say, “I love my life.” I sat with a few friends as we watched a few men break dancing and performing skateboard tricks for an increasing crowd. As they ended, and the crowd dissipated we made our way toward the fountain and began to strum guitars, beat our drums, and sing together as a group. Soon, a sax player joined in, then another drummer, and minutes later we were joined by an accordion. We worshipped right there in the center square with complete strangers.
A little earlier in the afternoon I began to make my way towards I group when my eyes met a pair of piercing blue eyes lined in plenty of black eyeliner. Immediately I heard the Lord say, “She is cutting.” My heart jumped a beat. Lord, I have to be sure about this one before I go over there – confirm it for me somehow. I glanced back as I passed her to see a hot pink mesh sleeve on one wrist; just the confirmation I needed. I listened for a bit as I asked the Lord what He wanted me to say. I didn’t hear much, but knew I had to say something. I made my way over to her and her friend. I sat down and started a conversation that would be awkward for a bit, then again at 12 and 13 – I would be weird no matter what I said. After some small talk I felt God prompt me to ask her what she wanted to be when she was done with school. So, I asked. She told me how she wanted to become a counselor, she wanted to help kids that had problems, because she too had her issues. I looked down to see scars on her wrists, covered and uncovered. Confirmation, again. It was the open door He needed.
“So, I’m going to tell you the real reason I came over here.” I began to tell her how while I was across the park, God shared with me that she had been cutting her wrists and that He wanted to reach out to her. I began to share my testimony with her. I shared my messy background of starting to drink at thirteen, smoking pot on my 14th birthday and the down hill slope of boys that messed me up. I shared how by my senior year of high school I was depressed and felt no hope, but to get hit by a car in traffic. I told her my testimony of God reaching into my life, healing my heart, and flipping my world upside down to my full joy and hope! I prayed with her and invited her to the 24 hour worship event we are holding this Friday. By the end of the conversation she was asking to bring friends with her!
I love the fact that I could look into her eyes and say, “God has big plans for you. I am from across the world, and sent me here to talk to you today.” The significance of one child is beyond our comprehension. She is His beloved daughter and He has pursued her heart, and loved her before she even entered this world.
