Debbie: a sweet lady I met in South Africa at a rehabilitation home.
It’s obvious, God appointed our conversation that day. We were visiting the home to “pamper” the women; which included tea, cookies, and getting their nails done.
I awkwardly sat down next to Debbie during tea time. We slowly started talking. Our conversation escalated quickly, we began sharing stories and struggles. Over an hour went by; we were in tears. She has a beautiful testimony and a beautiful heart.
Before I left, she hugged me and said,
“With no doubt, God sent you here today. Thank you for understanding me.”
I explained to Debbie how much she impacted me. She was blown away. We laughed because we never got around to painting our nails. We didn’t care; God had a different plan.
God used her to remind me of His love and how much He cares about us, individually. He is with us, no matter where we are in life. He wants us to be vulnerable, giving Him the space to work.
A letter to my friend:
Dear Debbie,
I believe in you.
As you continue learning and striving towards healing over the next several months, know and believe that our God is calling you to be restored. He has always been with you, and will continue to be with you. He is there.
When your parents were consistently abusing you, God was there.
When you vividly watched your sister get hit time and time again, God was there.
When you were angry and turned to drugs for temporary happiness, God was there.
When you cheated on your boyfriend to gain approval from other men, God was there.
When you were stealing to feed yourself and your family, God was there.
When you were hopelessly in jail, God was there.
When you were willing to sell your body to sustain your addiction, God was there.
When you were consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol to numb your feelings, God was there.
When you were desperately scraping through the trash for food, God was there.
When you were sleeping in the streets because you had nowhere to live, God was there.
When you boldly came to rehab the first time, relapsed, and then had to leave, God was there.
When you were weak and no longer wanted to be alive, God was there.
When you were willing to take your own life to escape your constant pain, God was there.
When you were physically, spiritually, and emotionally broken, God was there.
When we talked that day in Port Elizabeth, God was there.
Where you are right now, in this moment, God is there.
He saw you at your worst.
He loved you then.
He loves you now.
The things He saw in your past changes nothing about the way He views you now.
I have a past.
I lost hope.
I lost purpose.
I lost worth.
But I have been restored; and you can be too.
God gives us hope.
God gives us purpose.
God gives us worth.
God gives us love.
I believe in you, and so does Jesus.
He is waiting.
He is there.
I am praying for you, Debbie.
Your sister,
Kerri
[Isaiah43]
