Words can be some of the most powerful things in the universe. We can create things with words, such as ideas, stories, and relationships. The words we know and use shape the way we view our world, and shape the way people view us and what we believe. When we choose to use our words to open up to one another we can begin to grow, heal, and learn from one another.
We tend to have a lot of visitors at the church we are staying at, especially the children who live near the church. The other day one of the kids, a boy named Sehraj, stopped by. We sat and talked about his family, his favorite football team (no, not American football), and what he believed as a Hindu. It was an awesome conversation, Sehraj is one of the most intelligent kids I have met in my life, his English is amazing, and he is interested in many of the same things that I am.
As Sehraj walked back home and I to the church, I began to think about how much I have learned on this journey so far. Whether we are teaching in the school next to the church, or talking to people in the surrounding villages, I am continually struck by the fact that when I go out to teach, it usually is me that ends up being taught. Whether it is a lesson in generosity, or love, this journey and the people I have met along the way have already taught me so much.
The next morning after my conversation with Sehraj, we held a church service at the church we are staying at. As I watched people slowly file into the church one by one, I was later described by one of my teammates, as smiling like a kid on Christmas morning as I saw Sehraj walk through the door and take a seat next to me. Because I was able to take advantage of the opportunity to pour into this kid and show him God’s love, he was willing to come to church and hang out with me, even though he doesn’t share the same beliefs as me.
I don’t know what impact the church service had on Sehraj, but I know that his presence there had a deep impact on me. I was shown that I had the ability to be a positive influence on a kid’s life and through that show him that he was loved by me and by God. This is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It has taught me not to take small conversations for granted, because often they have huge impacts.
I tell this story, so that you may know that you have the power to impact people with what you say, in a way that builds them up and shows them God’s love. Oftentimes, it just takes us to make the decision to sit down and start talking, so that we can open the door for growth and healing.
Thank you all for reading, and as always feel free to leave a comment.
I am still in desperate need of financial support in order to continue my work on The World Race. By October 1st I need to raise four thousand dollars. If you feel led to contribute, you can do so by clicking on the “support me” link on the left side of the page.
Thank you for any support, and thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Garrett
