Yesterday I learned the best lesson in the most unexpected place.
Small acts of obedience and boldness rid the fear and comforts we cling to in our hearts.
Now this claim seems huge for the small example of “boldness” I am about to share, but I’m learning all kinds of small lessons in the little things
So obviously every white girl traveling to Africa has to get her hair braided. I decided to get the full hair braid, big weave big dreams right? Maybe not so much because my scalp is whiter than sour creme and my fake hair now reaches my waist. Trying to go to bed at night with extra pounds of fake hair and no electricity to cool me off is not worth it. This is definatly a once in a life time thing.
So as I sat down in the chair to get my hair done, which takes about 5 hours ( again not worth it), the stares and laughs started. I got asked where I was from and where I was staying. I got asked frequently if I was tired or in pain, Ghanaians think that white people are weak. And I’m pretty sure that all the “Twi” chatter and laughing was about me. I felt uncomfortable as four different women were tugging at my hair and asking me to tilt my head in a different direction every 30 seconds.
Something that I frequently pray about is that I can be a bolder person. Bolder in my thoughts, words, and most importantly my actions. But fear always holds me back. When I know Jesus is telling me to do something or say something, I make up excuses as to why I shouldn’t. But right past that fear is JOY AND LIFE.
As reached into my bag to grab a piece of gum I had the idea to ask the ladies braiding my hair if they also wanted a peice. I automaticly started to put it back into my bag because that would require me to go out of my comfort zone and do something that is not required of me. But I decided to to it anyways, against every thing inside me yelling no. She graciously accepted and so did every single worker in the whole salon. They all began to laugh and yell “God bless you”. How simple is it to say “would you like a peice of gum”. That was such an easy thing to share but it automaticly changed the mood for the rest if the time I was there. In everyday life we are faced with hundreds of little opportunities to bless those around us. It could be through a conversation, a compliemnt, an action, or offering to share a mere peice of gum. All we have to do is say yes, go against the fear inside of us, and take a little step out of our comfort zones. Once we leave these comfort zones we have made for ourselves we begin to see life to the full. Now I know sharing a pack of gum didn’t change these women’s lives but it did change their attitude towards me so I could relax, even in the midst of my hair getting ripped out.
Now obviously stepping out from our comfort zones is more than sharing a piece of gum, but that’s where it starts, small acts of kindness. These small things lead to HUGE, life changing, kingdom advancing things that releval life to the fullest, the life that God intended us to live in.
Here are some relatable quotes and verses
2 Timothy 1:7–
MSG- God doesn’t want us to be shy with our gifts, but bold and loving and sensible
NIV- For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power love and self discipline
1 Peter 3:6–
NIV- and do not give way to fear
MSG- and if you do the same, unanxious and unintiminated
” Every day we have a choice. We can stay nestled in our safe comfortable places, we can let fear of something that really is small compared to the greatness of God cripple us. Or we can take a risk, do something to help someone else, make a person smile, change someone’s world. Life to the fullest exists. It’s available. All we have to do is decide to get up and embrace it.” — Katie Davis (wow she says it so beautifully)
