A Chance

There are just times when I know God is subtly speaking to my heart.  I can't pinpoint the exact moment this started, but I know when the realization of God's prompting came alive recently.

A leadership group of teens from our youth group meet twice a month on Sunday nights.  On this particular night, the teens were instructed to pick anyone in the room and ask that person a question from one of four areas of spiritual growth.

Prayer Life
Bible Reading
Evangelism
Christian Fellowship 

As soon as our Youth Pastor mentioned to the teens, "You know you can ask leaders, too." I got a sinking feeling inside.  I knew I would be the next to be called on.  And so it was.  The guy sitting beside me said, "Abby Dubbe" (he only ever calls me by my first and last name because he finds it amusing).  At that point my heart started pounding because I KNEW he would ask me to share about "evangelism" in my life.  If you haven't guessed it already, that is the area I had already been sensing God working in my heart.

So I was honest.  I shared that I used to somewhat look down on people who claimed they didn't know any unsaved people.  I had grown up in a public high school, always worked in secular environments, and had many people around to share God's love with.  As I told the group, now my life is drastically different.  I am a stay-at-home-wife, and spend many hours of my week discipling, mentoring, and building relationships with other Christian women.  All that to say, God has been prompting my heart about reaching out to those who do not yet know the love and sacrifice of Jesus. 

I do know my four neighbors and I have tried to build relationships with all of them, but haven't seen much happen.  Until this morning.  One of our neighbors is moving.  We've chatted with her several times about her move, and even stopped by her place last night to help out with a couple packing issues.  This morning, as I was reading my Bible, I heard my neighbor crying on the other side of the wall.  At first I wasn't sure so I froze and tried to listen harder.  Sure enough, there were undeniable tears. 

As nervous as I was to admit to her I could hear her crying, I knew God was leading me to go over there and check in.  With watery eyes she answered the door and my suspicions were confirmed.  My heart went out to her as I know the feeling of moving far far away from friends and family.   I was able to share a tiny bit of my own personal journey of heartache, loss, and change but that WITH GOD I found joy, peace, and ultimately healing. In order to protect her personal life, I won't go into all the details.  What I will say is I thank God for giving me the chance to show His love to her.

As I told her I would be praying for her, more tears came to her eyes.  When I asked if I could pray with her right then, it was by God's leading, and still even more tears came.  I am in awe that God gave me a chance.  A chance to share HIM with someone that doesn't yet know Him.