As I have mentioned in previous blogs, each day in Lesotho we would go around to different villages nearby. We would talk with the people there and share Jesus with them. If they were already believers, we would offer some encouragement to them. What we said was different each time and led by what we felt the Spirit wanting us to share.
We talked with over a hundred people last month, but one man stood out.
We walked up to his house and began talking with him. He was an older man, and we learned that he was a believer. As we continued talking, he shared with us that his wife had a mental disability. He said that it began when their son, who is now an adult, was young.
His wife then joined us, and my heart broke for this family and their current circumstances. While some of our group was talking with his wife and praying over her, I really felt led to encourage this man.
My heart went out to him and really related to what he was going through. It’s not easy to see someone you love so much struggle daily, and I wanted to offer what light I could to his situation.
I felt like I was supposed to share my story with this man, so I did. I shared about losing my brother when I was young. I shared about adopting my brother, Nathan, 6 years later. I shared about his struggles and diagnosis of FAS and ADD. I shared the feelings of anger and confusion that my family and I had because of that.
I don’t share my story often. When other people are opening their hearts to me, I don’t want them to feel discredited or unheard by making the story about me. But I felt really strongly that I should open up to this man. And I am glad I did because it allowed for a beautiful connection of relatability.
We had been through similar circumstances. We had both watched for years as people we love so deeply struggled, knowing there wasn’t anything we could do to fix it for them. No matter how much we wish we could do literally anything to help them, it doesn’t change reality.
But instead of just leaving it at that, I then got to speak light and truth into his situation. Yes, feelings of confusion and anger were there, and still are sometimes. We don’t understand why God allows certain things to happen, and in our eyes they may seem unfair. But that in no way means that God is not at work. Even through our doubt, He is still in control. He is still mighty, and His love for us is deeper than we could ever comprehend. He sees us even on the hardest days and feels exactly what we feel. It is through those hard days that we get to rely on His strength the most. Because even when ours runs out, He is there for us to lean on, and He welcomes us with open arms. He delights when we run to Him as a son or daughter would run to their Father.
I honestly don’t remember all that was said because I think most of it was from the Holy Spirit. But it reminded me of the power in our stories, and that they are worth sharing. Each story is a testament of the Lord and brings Him glory. You never know who you can touch just by opening up and taking a step into vulnerability.
The Lord gives us community and fellow believers in order to build up the Kingdom. We are meant to encourage one another and speak truth into each other. Sometimes it may be awkward to step into vulnerability or offer a word of encouragement, especially to a stranger. But it is worth it when you can be that light into someone’s darkness.
Sharing my story with this man sparked a thought in me.
I know the things that have happened in my life all happened for a reason, and I trust God with them even if I don’t completely understand them. But what if one of the reasons He has brought me through those things was so that I can reach a deeper level of relatability to others that are in similar circumstances? So that when I meet other people who need the encouragement that I once did, I can be that mouthpiece?
I may never understand or be able to give people answers. But one thing I do know for sure is the incredible power of the Lord and His love for His children. Don’t be afraid to share your story; instead, be honored to be that vessel through which His truth is radiated.
