Yesterday was filled with goodbyes, hugs, reflection, prayer and packing. It was our last day in Albania and we woke up super early to catch the bus.
But here’s a story from the last day in Albania.
Right before launching for the World Race, I purchased a key necklace. The guy who makes them prayed over my name and received a word from God to engrave on it. The word I got was strong.
A lot of times, I don’t feel very strong. But while wearing this word for the past 6 months, God has been teaching me what strong looks like. In Ephesians, it says to be strong in the Lord and stand firm. In 2 Timothy, Paul writes that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him. I think being strong looks like standing firm on God’s promises and abiding in God’s Word. I don’t think it means relying on myself but relying on His strength and His love for me.
So yesterday, I was talking to a 9th grader during our last day in the high school. We had talked several times before and I have enjoyed getting to know her. She opened up to me more today specifically about struggles with her back. She described how she feels stuck, self conscious and weak especially when she has to wear her back brace. I told her that she is stronger than she realizes and to keep holding on to hope.
Then I felt Jesus tell me to give her my key. (Side note: this month I hadn’t been wearing it everyday and when I put it on this morning I had no idea I would give it away.) But in that moment I just knew I was supposed to.
When I gave it to her, I told her that God gives us strength, not the key or my own abilities. When we are in God, we are strong.
I know I said more but honestly I can’t remember the exact words that I said. I know and pray that Holy Spirit reached her more deeply than I could on my own. She hugged me, thanked me and said she would always wear it. ??
We kept talking about being strong and it was so exciting to see her joy and hope. I pray God will use the key to draw her closer to His heart.
Wherever you are at, will you please take a moment and pray for this beautiful and precious 9th grade student? Please pray that she would find strength in a relationship with Jesus.
Amen!
