allume

real light living

If Making a Difference Was Only a Country Away

By

Let Them See Jesus

Craziness.  Pure craziness.  A heavy rain was beating onto my windshield, the children were all buckled safely into their seats, and my tires pushed through the puddles forming on the side of the road.  We had a scheduled appointment we were trying to be on time for, and as the rain was almost a pleasant sound to my ears, it was working against the chatter of all of the children sitting behind me.

I was careful to swing wide on the next corner, for the drainage there was poor, and my large van would have pushed the water onto the person standing on the edge of the road.

The next swish of the windshield wiper brought a young woman into my view. Standing on the corner.  In the pouring rain, with a small yellow umbrella in her hand.  The yellow did not cover her head or her face.  She had a new baby strapped to her front , sleeping soundly and oblivious to the rain being caught above him and dripping down the sides of this mama’s face.

The clock was speaking to me.  Our appointment.  The rules of consciousness reared up in my mind.  Do not pick up strangers.  I was two stop lights past the corner, when I pulled the van into a parking lot.  Paused.  Looked into the mirror at my children and said, “Did you see that woman back there in the rain?”

They had.  They even saw the baby.  There were no words to be spoken. We went back.  She was still there.

I was in America.  Not Haiti.  Not Africa.  My compass was all turned around, yet we were turning in the right direction.

If only making a difference took us on a plane, and into the slums.  If my children never saw me snap pictures of hungry children, or women sacrificing for their kin, would they know how to be a living invitation?

Right here.  My difference always begins where I can see.

This poor woman must have thought me crazy.  You might be thinking that of me as well.  But, probably for different reasons.  She, for seeing a woman of a different color, a stranger, pull up to offer her a ride in the rain. You, for exposing my children to something unknown.

She asked if I was a shuttle service.  No.  (well, I guess I am a mom of ten with a 15 passenger van. So, yes.)

She asked if I was going her direction.  No, but I would take her any way.

Did I have an appointment we were late too?  Yes.  Were my children ok with that.  Totally.

She was still standing in the rain.  I could now see clearly her baby sleeping against her.  It was chilly, rainy, and she was wet. Very wet.  She stepped into the passenger front seat next to me.  It did not take her long to look behind her to all of the curious smiling children.

We exchanged names.  Her baby continued to sleep.  She asked me a lot of questions. And then she said,

“I have never met someone like you.”  She sits back and breathes a deep breath of the warmer air.  She checks on her baby. I can feel her looking at me again.

“There is something so different about you.  Even when you talk.  I do not know how to say it.  I just met you, but I hope some day I can be like you.”

My lungs exhaled a quiet, deep breath of Jesus.  She smiles.  She has heard of this before. But has never SEEN Jesus.

Jesus. If making a difference was only a country away, I would not be able to live here for… Jesus.

Every day.  Every single way.

Comments

  1. Beautiful story of God’s amazing love and mercy shinning through you and your family’s everyday life. I love reading your stories Ms. September, and they always encourage me to seek more and be more and do more for Jesus.

    Peace to you.

    • Elissa – More of Jesus. Every day. In every way. Most precious blessings to you, as I always find your words of encouragement and know we are walking paths for Jesus together. Keep pressing on!

  2. Incredible reminder! Thank you September. I’m sharing this with all my girlfriends today. Our cities need some missionaries on the front lines, willing to put their hands to the plow.

    • Diana ~ Thank you for sharing this heart message. I tell my children they are front-line warriors. Blessings to you as you prayerfully put your hand to the plow. So thankful for your comment today.

  3. Oh, how lovely! September, I got this warm fuzzy feeling inside as I read this. I – WE – do not have to travel across the ocean or the border to minister and allow others to see Jesus in us. Thank you for this reminder.

    • Thank you Mary. I have been thinking about you a lot. May Christ and others minister to all of us. Even the un-noticed. Hugs!

    • Christin ~ It is often your words that encourage me to hit publish and send the message of our real life living here. Thank you for allowing God to use you here at Allume!

  5. I so love this. I too, have been learning, that making a difference is about more than the stamps in your passport… it extends as far as you’re willing to stretch out your hand and offer someone Jesus – on those cold and rainy days!! Bless you friend.

    • I cannot wait to see you again Tonya! Your words and encouragement are always a blessing. Thank you for shining your light for Jesus! Hugs!

  6. This is so beautiful, September. I love the example you LIVE with your life, and how beautifully you show Jesus to not only your own children, but to your sisters as well. Thank you for the way you demonstrate kindness, for the way you live the Gospel. Love you, friend.

    • Gospel living. I love this Kris. You are a life giving friend, and I know that your hearts beats with the vision for the un-seen people. Here and abroad. Thank you for your words here today. We all can shine together sister! Amen!

  7. I agree with her! You are truly special and different and I want to be like you one day,too. 🙂 Seriously, It’s a great reminder that we aren’t called to always be safe or keep our children isolated and insulated. Beautiful how you live it out in front of your kids and then they grow up to do the same. So blessed to have you living in front of me. Thank you for sharing this story.

    • May we all share this vision in our every day lives! Thank you my sweet friend Amy, for leaving your sweet words, and for cheering the every day stories that make JESUS come alive in all of us. I will be thinking of you and your son, as Christ gives you more opportunities to live out real light living on this side of the globe. Hugs!

  8. I cried reading this. Just beautiful…because Jesus, He is breathtaking in the way He shows Himself when we just say YES. Thank you for being a yes-sayer. I pray this is my everyday.

  9. I can see what she saw in you, September. It’s something I hope lives in all of us. The way we walk our days with Jesus, a living gospel. So much beauty here, friend. And thank you for your obedience and faithfulness in serving. So many lives are richer for it.

  10. Yes! Yes! Yes! This brings me back to hearing you speak at Allume last year on this very thing. I was sitting next to Ashlie, and we were both crying the whole time. You are an incredible example to us! I love you so much!!

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