My daughter joined a campus ministry last year. She shopped around but eventually landed on the one she connected most with. I love when she shares what she's learned and how she is personally challenged. It's just like the Holy Spirit to give her timely messages about her current situation. Sometimes, it's not even her predicament but one of her friends she can coach through because of what she learned at her meetings.
Recently, she shared how she volunteered to make goodie bags for an outreach event in DC. She thought she would only make sandwiches but found out she would also deliver them as the date approached. She had texted me and asked me a few questions about how to pray for the homeless community. What was the best way to approach and pray without offending anyone? I gave her a few ideas, but ultimately, I told her to invite the Holy Spirit, who will guide and direct her.
After the event, my daughter shared how fun and easy it was. She pointed out how when she would be around my husband and me when we evangelized, she didn't feel the need to do anything and would be a passive observant; however, this time, she was an active participant. No mom and dad to rely on just the Holy Spirit. She shared how she would walk to certain people the Holy Spirit guided her to, offer them the goody bag, and to pray. A couple didn't want the goody bag, just the prayers. She would ask them if she could hold their hand or put her hand on their shoulder and release whatever God told her to say.
They walked in groups of four, and one of the members asked how she could be so free and not scared. She responded that they were people, too, and just had fallen into tough times. Acting anxiously would send a negative message to the person she'd been praying for, so speaking to them as if they were acquaintances was important.
She shared a story about the last gentleman she ministered to. He was one of those who didn't want the goodie bag and asked to chat instead. The others in her group stood watching as she squatted beside the man sitting with his belongings. While listening, she noticed movement in the bags. At first, she thought they were black squirrels rustling through since she sees many on her college campus; however, while trying to focus on the man's stories, her eyes observed the tails of what was crawling around. They didn't have the furry tails she was used to seeing; they had long, thin, skinny tails. She said the rats were crawling through his possessions as if they were his personal pets. AHHHHH! I asked my daughter what she did. She said she didn't want to scare or embarrass him, so she remained calm and pretended they were the black squirrels she initially assumed they were.
While my daughter shared the details, I tried imagining being in her shoes but couldn't. In all transparency, I have a phobia. I can't even look at a rodent in a photo or on TV; I have to turn away until the scene changes. So, to have it right before my eyes is seriously a new heightened level of anxiety. I can't even write this post without squirming.
After my daughter finished her story, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I felt a surge of pride for her courage and compassion but also a twinge of envy for her fearlessness. I knew that in her place, I would have been unable to contain my fear and would have fled. I'm thankful she doesn't have the same aversions as me, but I'm more grateful that she thought of the person first and remained calm.
When I grow up, I want to be more like my daughter. I hope I will evangelize comfortably and confidently in any situation or environment like her. Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord; he will reward you for what you have done.
~Proverbs 19:17
Comments