This morning, we had a wonderful bible study about faith vs fear. We talked about how often our perspective shifts from the remembrances of who God is and what He has already shown us in our lives, to the flesh view that seems too big and too difficult to endure. (We were in numbers chapters 10-15 if you want to read the basis for our discussions.) It was good to talk openly about how strong our flesh is and how intentional we must be in our faith journey. I love our class and the hearts within. Everyone that shares something adds a depth to my thinking that I know, without a doubt, is God ordained. I love how God has brought us altogether "for such a time as this."
But the blessing came just after that. I am a creature of habit. I tend to gravitate towards the same side of the church in the same general area. Today, however, the kids were doing some dancing/singing in the worship service, so I moved to be closer to the area of them so I could proudly celebrate my kids loving Jesus. As a result, I ran into one of my newest friends. She and I serve kids together on Wednesday nights and she has become such a light in my life. She is from Russia and has the sweetest spirit about her, that I have ever, ever known in an adult. She is always so genuinely grateful for the lessons I teach and tells me how much she learns from me. The thing that is so remarkable about it, is that she is truly learning as a child. Her accent is thick, her citizenship very new to the USA, and her love of Jesus is captivating! I love her so much. Just knowing her has been a gift and a blessing!
This morning, when we saw each other, her response to me was overwhelming! It was as if she was seeing a long lost friend. Her child was ill last week and she had to miss, and I had the stomach bug the week prior and had missed so we hadn't actually connected in two weeks. She ran to me and wrapped her sweet arms around me and hugged me in a way that I felt like I was hugging my sister (Okay, well I was as we are sisters in Christ, but it doesn't always feel so real on earth!). She is a beautiful woman, inside to out. She really is. She has the most dainty features and is so tender. But I am drawn to her kindness that just pours out so authentically.
After we hugged we spoke briefly and agreed it was God's design for us to sit together that morning before Christmas and we made our way to the front. Where I needed to sit that day is where she typically sits each week. That is not coincidence I am certain! We grabbed our seats and I asked about her husband, who is working in Russia and is due home to her and her son after a long separation, this week. Her joy was obvious and I thought, "I bet that reunion in the airport will be fit for a movie! (And not the new movies, but the good, old romantic black and whites!)" I was so excited for her as we talked.
Then she reached down and she said, "Row -bin (I love how she says my name with her accent), I have something I vould deeply love to give to you today. Please accept my apologies that it is not more suitibly vrapped, but I vasn't prepared to see you. Vut it vould mean so very much if you vould accept this gift from my heart. I just know this is why I vould have this vith me this day." She pulled out this beautiful oranment and handed it to me. I was overwhelmed by the love so obviously displayed in her eyes and this gift she was giving to me. It was instantly the most precious gift I have received because I knew the sincerity of the love behind it. I teared up and hugged her and it was one of those gifts that you don't even hesitate to receive because you know that to try to not receive, would be so painful to the one giving. I adored it for a few moments and then the music began. She gently took it and wrapped it up for me and said, "Oh I just thank my God for having you hear this day by me!" I hugged her again and then we turned our focus to the service.
The blessing of her gift was beyond what I can really get into writing. But it didn't end there. I intend to sit by my sweet friend from time to time, because the worship I experienced as she worshipped was so powerful I cried through every song... and so did she... only she had no idea I was or even that I was was still there because she was completely immersed into the worship of our Lord! As I watched her, I thanked God for her American husband who fell in love with her, married her, and introduced her to our Father. She is totally in love and His grace is evident in every aspect of her essence. She held her heart when the children sang, she rejoiced when the teens danced for joy before the Lord, She wiped beautiful tears away as she wept during the song (of which I cry every single time I hear and sing it as well) "Breath of Heaven", and she held her heart in a genuine way as the word of God was read. I fell in love with Jesus all over again as I experienced worship through the eyes of one who obviously knows the gift we are celebrating this Christmas, so new to her. I will never, ever be the same.
The ornament will go on the tree, but I have already decided it will never be put away. Today was God's special Christmas blessing to me and this precious birdhouse ornament will be my "stones of remembrance" of His touch on my through my new, precious, Russian friend. May I only half impact someone the way she has me. And if I get nothing more for Christmas, I am rich and blessed beyond measure.
I pray God bring you an experience such as this as well...and may we always, always remember to love Christ the way He first loved us.... and demonstrate that so openly that those around us are forever impacted.
Humbled and grateful this Sunday before Christmas 2011!
Robin
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