Have you ever had the feeling that you had this shadow over you while you were standing in a group of people? You can see everyone, hear all the conversations, and if they just looked in your direction for even a split second they would know you were there waiting to be invited into their circle.
Maybe it is because I have felt this way before, or maybe it is just because I was very attune to God that day, either way I saw her.
Let me set the scene:
It had been raining for the past two days. Roads were slick to the point where I fell on the way to their house. But we knew God was calling us to visit homes that day. So we went. She was the second or third house we visited. We were first introduced to her mother, Maria Cecelia. There was something inside me urging me to speak, to share my story, to share about God’s love. God had given me all the words. I was just about to begin when Jay started speaking. I was so confused. Had I totally misunderstood what God was telling me? Did I totally miss the mark? Was I not fast enough to start talking? I mean we had just all sat down and exchanged pleasantries. There wasn’t even a moment of awkward silence!
I battled in my head for a few minutes. The words Jay was speaking were the same words I had in my head. For a few moments I thought for sure I had let God down and not done what he had asked me to do, so he asked someone else. It was then that I turned to my right and saw her.
She was standing in the shadow of the door, listening intently to the words that were be spoken to her mother.
That’s when I knew that the words God had given me were not for Maria Cecelia, but for her daughter Maria Cruz. Jay did an amazing job sharing the words God laid on his heart, and Maria Cecelia accepted Christ and was immediately filled with his joy! It was incredible. I probably should have rejoiced more in that moment, but I began to panic because my Maria was walking away. She had slipped outside during the prayer and I begged Jesus to make her come back. I knew He had words she needed to hear.
Seconds later she walked back in and I hollered to Malerie who was translating that day that I needed her…NOW. (In retrospect I probably could have asked a little nicer, but in the moment it was urgent! Sorry Malerie) I looked right at her and using one of the Spanish phrases I know, I asked her what her names was. She told me and I began to explain to her that everything she had just heard was for her to. That Jesus loved her so much that he died for her to. Jesus is for everyone, not just adult, not just for her mother. I asked her if she understood what she heard. She said yes and then I asked if she too wanted to receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
She said “Yes”
That day not only were two lives radically changed, but a whole family as well. The joy of the Lord just emanated from them. There was no way they could contain it, even if they tried. They are going to be lights for their family and their community that I am sure of.
Thank you Jesus for choosing me to be your vessel in that situation. Thank you for giving me the eyes to see Maria standing in the shadows. Please open my eyes to see more of your children who are living in the shadows waiting to be brought into your circle.
