78 Visits.

{It has been a privilege to be a small part of so many people's stories over the last several years.   I am honored to tell this one.}

Almost 10 years ago; I was shopping at Lifeway, in our new town.  I spotted a young lady with great hair.  Now--if you know me at all...you know, finding the right person to do my hair would be top on the list of things to accomplish quickly after a move...right up there with family doctor, dentist, grocery store, etc.  The young lady with great hair gave me the name of her stylist.  Here’s the rest of the story.  

I called the stylist and found that she had a quaint little place in her house.  I LOVED her.  And so began the relationship.  What I didn’t know then was that because of a series of events, she would become unable to continue her business. However; she introduced me to her daughter, who had just completed her training to take over the business. 

The young lady was fantastic.  If I loved her mother, I ADORED my new girl and very soon, she became my friend.  She was very young and had a lot of things going on in her personal life....but she confided in me and I began to pray for her.  Her mom and I had developed a trusting relationship...she even called me “the she-preacher!” 

Soon, my young friend became a single mom.  She would tell you this was NOT the direction she would have taken for her life.  She had other plans, but her life’s choices took her on a detour.

Over the next couple of years, she dated a few different guys and then decided to focus on herself and her little man.   She is a great mom and has really put his interests first; but there was something missing.  She was going to church; but she would say at that time, she wasn’t fully committed to a relationship with Jesus or to a life of faith.

About 2 years ago, a young man she had known for a long time came back into her life.  He was a single dad and a friendship began.  I was so incredibly proud of the way she handled dating this guy. Friendship was their priority, neither of them wanting to rush things; yet both wanting their families to spend time together.   The two of them began to read the Word together. They prayed together and attended church together.  What was missing was found, in a life of faith.  

This young couple has blended their family in marriage and for more than a year now; have been living the life of faith.  They are expecting a 3rd addition to the family in the spring.  I am beyond excited to tell you, they are doing well walking in faith together.

All the while; I have been praying, speaking words of truth, even though at times, they have been hard to hear.   I’m sure she had other people helping her lean to faith in Jesus....but she calls me her spiritual mother.  What an honor for me to have had the privilege of sitting in her chair for 78 visits. 
She told me today, “I’m ever so grateful.”

78 visits of loving a young lady.
78 visits of quietly speaking truth into a life.
78 visits of building a relationship that will last for eternity.  

I tell you her story today to encourage you.  No matter where God has you in life...you can tell HIStory in love with your life and believe me...there are plenty of people who need to hear it.  

It may take 78 visits; but it is worth a lifetime.

m

“Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-8 MSG