Seeing Those Around You

Day 2 of 31 Days of Writing

 

We were heading out for a free day. We had been doing mission work in New Orleans for a few days straight. Looking forward to walking the streets and seeing the sights. Off duty.

A young woman sitting on the steps outside of the church we were staying at. Her hair braided up pretty. “I did it myself” she told me.

Her voice so sweet and childlike.

She asked for some chips or something to eat.

We had no food on us. Not that kind of food anyways.

I couldn’t just walk past her. I stopped and knelt down in front of her and so began a very long conversation.

My daughters and their friend were with me. They all were engaged in the conversation that we were having.

They were present. Real life. Face to Face. Present.

We made a real connection that day. She prayed to ask Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. She smiled for probably the first time in a long time. She was fed and full.

 

John 6:35 (NLT) ~ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

 

We were just the messengers. Jesus did all of the work. All I know is that if I had passed her by with only a nod at the most, that I would have missed the blessing.

Being Present in Real Life means seeing those around you. Really seeing them.

Being Present means that you might just be inconvenienced.

Being Present means connection.

I’m not the same woman who I was before that mission trip. I don’t want to be the same. I have received the blessing that comes from really being all there.

I’ll never forget Nya. Or her voice. Or her smile. I’ll never forget the beauty of listening to our girls share Jesus with her.

 

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Until Next Time,