It’s a cold, small room with concrete floors and chipping paint on the walls. The room is in the back of a school and we only see what is going on by the light shining through the windows. Every Wednesday I get to minister to a room full of widows but in the end they always end up ministering to me.
These women have stories. Beautiful stories. Stories full of husbands who loved them and pursued them in their marriage for over 50 years. Stories of raising no less than 11 children. Stories of being teachers or selling fruit at the market for a little money. Stories of falling from God but returning back to Him time and time again because He never stops pursuing.
We sing songs in their native language of Tonga together. I don’t understand what we are singing, but I don’t need to. The presence of The Lord is active and real, every Wednesday in that room. The passion they sing with could put any church choir to shame.
Next we read through The Word together and I mean we really read it. We dig in and spend hours upon hours on one chapter of one book. Asking each other questions and contributing any revelation or information we know.
I will always remember Gladys, Rose, Priscilla, Grace, Evelyn, Cecil, Gertrude, Cilia, Lweendo, Shamba and our mornings together. Not worrying about the time, or the schedule for the rest of the day. But instead, so focused on The Lord and what He had for all of us at that exact moment in time.
So this blog is dedicated to all of the older people in my life. Those who have constantly poured their wisdom and love into my life. Thank you to my parents who loved and disciplined me over the last 23 years, to my grandma who is my best friend and full of more love for Jesus and His people than anyone else I know. To my aunts, uncles, and cousins who are always there for me and would do anything to help me, to my teachers, professors, and coaches who never get enough recognition for all of the hard work that they put into investing into lives day after day. To my small group leaders, disciplers, pastors, who have held me to a higher standard and constantly encouraged me to follow after The Lord and His plan for me. My family friends and acquaintances who have all taught me something whether they realize it or not just by their actions and words. My bosses who have shown me what a hard work ethic looks like and what it means to have integrity. To my squad leaders, coaches, and mentors who are constantly serving, encouraging, and supporting me. And of course to the widows in Livingstone, Zambia who showed me that when you have nothing, having Christ in the center of your life will give you all you need.
Thank you for your life. It truly is a testament to The Lord and I have learned so much from you and will continue to do so. Never be ashamed of your greying hair, wrinkles, or the fact that it takes you a little longer to get around more than usual. Because these are all signs of the love you have poured out upon people. The hard work you have put in on this Earth and the work that you do for the Kingdom.
You pouring into my life means that I can pour into other peoples lives. Wisdom is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You go through life situations and learn from them and you sharing those lessons can influence someone so much. You have so much wisdom and knowledge to share so be confident and bold in that.
