Walking slowly…it used to annoy me.
I’d do just about anything to move quickly…to be first.
But something has changed.
Something has shifted.
My heart has been altered.
My selfish ambition has been stripped.
My perspective is different.
This is Christina.
She’s one of the women at Jubilee.
Rather quiet…and always keeping to herself.
I’d never heard her mutter more than a handful of words – let alone smile.
She was always attentive in Bible study – and then disappeared for the remainder of the day.
Christina walks with a limp…because one of her legs is shorter than the other – it’s growth is stunted right now.
But something has changed.
Something has shifted.
My heart has been altered.
My selfish ambition has been stripped.
My perspective is different. Now I can see…
Just the other day we were taking the women at the center for a walk.
Most of them were very excited – and much to my surprise, Tim told me Christina wanted to come too.
He also warned me that someone would need to walk slowly with her – because she gets frustrated when she’s last.
That fact alone meant we were a perfect match, but I sort of brushed off this information…and went outside to leave.
Then I SAW Christina. Lagging behind the swarm of excited women – she settled near the fence when she realized I saw her. “Are you coming Christina?” I asked with curiosity. She shook her head with a definite “NO” and started to retreat. I felt something check in my spirit and decided this was one battle I was more than willing to fight. “How come? I’d really like you to come!!” She refused again – and I turned to go…then I felt a hand brush against mine. It was her – and she was smiling.
We walked the whole way together – hand in hand.
She hobbled – and I prayed.
We talked about Jesus in English and Romanian.
We talked about music + worship + sunshine.
We laughed about almost tripping in gutters…and waved shouting “Buna zi-wa” to all the village people.
Together we walked slowly…together we were last…and though our walk was 10 minutes longer than everyone else,I savored every minute of it. At one point during our walk – the sun was beating warmth on us – and we were laughing about crazy Romanian drivers when the Lord said this, “those who are first shall be last, and those who are last shall be first.” It felt so good to be last today…even though it’s something new to me…a few months ago I can’t say I would’ve chosen to walk with the slowest person – but the Lord had something special for me to see in Christina. I believe the Lord is going to lengthen the muscles, tendons, and bones where growth was stunted – and I believe Christina, this mighty woman of faith walks daily in the belief that He can. My prayer for her was that God’s JOY would continue to increase in her. Her smile is absolutely contagious!
When we came to the center yesterday Christina served us breakfast – and her presence in the dining room brought everyone overwhelming JOY. A smile crested every corner of her face – and she spoke with a chuckle + delight. Thank you LORD for increasing this woman’s joy – and for the healing you are working in and through her!
