Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet an older woman who had the sweetest spirit and smile. She was very kind although she was not feeling well and had better days than the one that she was experiencing. After several hours, we had the opportunity to share a little of our stories about life. Come to find out, at the ripe age of 79 she still was working and was very healthy. We were talking about where I lived and where I was from. So I explained to her that my husband and I are from Warner Robins and that we moved to Hazlehurst to do ministry. It then opened the door for us to talk about the Lord. We shared about our churches and then we spoke about Sunday school and how out of 800 members at her church, only about 200 attend. I spoke with her that we have the issue with our church and that's why we started small groups. She stated that they also had success with small groups. We then spoke about that something that created so much excitement within me; it stirred my Spirit for the Lord.
We began talking about people's lives changing before our eyes; having the opportunity to watch the Lord shape and mold people's lives forever. The sparkle in her eyes and the excitement in her voice about the situation was so changing for me. It made me more excited about ministering to people and realizing as Paul states that "God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name." (Romans 1:5) While studying in Romans, this verse has really stuck with me. That we have the privilege and authority to minister to people. This woman and I truly bonded and spoke about the importance of praying for other people and that we would remember each other in our prayers. She stated that she rather someone pray for than give a $1,000. What a statement.
The Lord has an amazing way to bring people in our lives that make an impact; large or small. This woman, whether she realized it or not, made an impact on my life yesterday. She was someone that I look up to and pray that I have her sweet, kind, gentle spirit as I grow older. Although she was sweet and kind, there was a sense of strength about her that I admired and I know she drew it from the Lord. I believe Jesus was speaking to me yesterday and confirming something within me that He has been trying to tell me for the past few weeks - we have an opportunity everyday to make a difference in someone's life. It can be positive or negative depending on our actions and words. I pray that I can make a positive influence on those around me and that I take it very seriously to be mindful of the reactions I have to situations as well as words that I say. I always thought that this was a burden as a Christian, but again, God has shown me it is a privilege to do so. (Yes, I said burden.) I know that I fail time and again with this, but the Lord shows me that His grace is sufficient and as long as I strive everyday to make it a new fresh start and die to myself, it is possible.
