I met Thelma outside Target today. She was the one with the donation box, dark sunglasses, and a Bible in her purse. I know about the Bible because before I realized what God wanted to say through me to Thelma today, I had stopped and begun a conversation with her. (Fortunately this transpired before I had time to chicken out.)
There are things that Thelma shared today that I have never experienced, a story behind her eyes that I will never know. But God has been with Thelma every day of her life. He has never left her. He will never forsake Her. He loves her. He knows her and He wanted to use me to remind her of these things today.
"[Thelma], I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Thelma deserves respect. Thelma needs love. Thelma is worth taking a moment out of my day to talk about what Jesus said really matters.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39
Sure, I could have just dropped a couple dollars in her wooden donation box. Certainly, I could have walked right by. In fact, that's what Thelma expected. That's what usually happens. But the last few times I've spoken with these women from abusive backgrounds, these women who have been taken in, these women who have been given hope because of the shelter that has shared the love of Christ with them, I'm the one who's walked away blessed. I'm the one convicted and encouraged.
These women may have very difficult circumstances and they may have come through very painful trials to get to this point in thier lives, but they know a Savior who's greater than all of that. They have hope. They cling to the Lord and hold onto Him with all their might. These women need Jesus! It's beautifully refreshing and I love talking with them!
In a culture like ours it's easy to miss the hurt across the street, the hurt across the parking lot, the hurt in our own homes even, thinking somehow that we need to travel overseas in order to minister to others, or that it takes a mission trip to a foreign land for us share the gospel. This is a lie we believe, an excuse we make, an illusion we mistakenly accept. There are opportunities every single day to share the hope we have in Jesus, to show His love to others, and to lay our lives down for another if we're willing. I don't want to ignore these opportunities.
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17
Have you ever met a Thelma? Have you ever walked by a Thelma? I have. Many times, I have walked right by the Thelmas outside Target. But not anymore...because God can use me and I see it. God can speak through any one of us if we open ourselves up to be vessels of His love for others and that's what really matters.
I may never see Thelma again, but I'll pray for her. I'll remember the way her shoulders relaxed and her voice choked up when she realized I wasn't going to pass her by, but that I genuinely wanted to see her for who she is. I'll remember the instant connection we two very different women shared because of one singular commonality, our hope in Jesus Christ. And, I'll remember my daughter who stood by and observed our interaction, realizing that seeds were planted in her impressionable heart today just the same.
So, I'm challenging myself to be even braver next time and with each chance after that to stop and talk to the Thelmas. Join me?
"Jesus replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?' He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.' And Jesus said to him, 'You go, and do likewise.'" Luke 10:30-37
