Welcome to those of you visiting from the Proverbs 31 Devotion!
Quick announcement... Are you in Knoxville or in the mood to drive to this lovely city in Tennessee? Lysa has been invited to speak with Jennifer Rothschild and Anita Renfroe...August 21-22 - Sevier Heights Baptist Church. Click here to register. Lysa and I would love to meet you there.
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Running, yet desperately hoping to be found. This line is from today's devotion. It also reminds me of my missions trip to Germany three years ago.
I joined the dearest elderly gentleman on a bench during one of our missions in a beautiful park in the small town of Lich. He had been riding his bike and had stopped to take a rest. We sat and chatted - me with my basic and broken German fragments, and he with his limited English.
After more than 30 minutes of casual but labored conversation, I asked him about his faith. He admitted that he really did not have one. He knew of Jesus, but did not know Jesus.
My heart was challenged, for I saw him as a runaway.
During our conversation, a member of the church we had been working with happened to ride by on her bike. When she saw me she stopped to chat. Her English was much better than his, so she was able to not only interpret for us, but join in our conversation as well.
I was able to ask more about his life and his beliefs through my friend from the church. She was a needed blessing. I then encouraged her to tell him about her faith and why she believed what she believed.
She was timid at first and would look to me for guidance, but after a few minutes they were chatting quite comfortably.
I sat and listened to the two Germans talking about our Lord.
Although I could only interpret a few words every few sentences, it was indeed one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard.
I got goose bumps on that hot summer day in the park. And I get them again as I recall this memory while I type.
I saw my German woman friend at church the following weekend. She sweetly approached me and simply said, 'Thank you for the other day.'
'Thank YOU', I said, 'I was so glad you rode by - that was perfect timing!'
'No, thank YOU', she said. 'Thank you for teaching me how to share my faith.'
I paused and reflected. I was only focused on reaching my elderly gentlemen friend that day.
Oh, what an eye-opening reminder to me that every word we speak, every action we take, every decision we make impacts another in ways we may never know.
I still pray to this day that the park bench man is no longer running. I am hoping he has been found.
I am hoping my runaway 8th grade friend I mentioned in my devotion has been found.
And what about you today? Are you running, desperately hoping to be found? Or, are you praying for someone who is running?
Lysa and I would love to pray for you during our early morning runs this week! Please post your thoughts and prayers and know that we will lift each one up on your behalf.
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