Attempts to express...
I want to share with the world how God used my body and my words today but I want to protect her privacy so I'll do my best to share my story without sharing her soul.
Nick scheduled home visits for me today and I wasn't too excited. We visit our Manna Truck families once a month to build a relationship and see how we could meet some of their most basic needs. Usually it's tough to break the ice, things are a bit awkward, and we leave still just being a "service" and not a friend. I've been discourage by this because some families we've seen several times and much more frequently than once a month and still there was such a wall.
Today, my prayer was that conversation would deviate from meeting needs for more than just 5 minutes and we would find at least one thing to talk about.
The first house started as usual, "how was the order last month, what can we find for you this month, how are things going in general?" Then I started to make lame jokes about my life being sucked dry by my two sweet boys and how that's quite a change. She relaxed a bit more, a few more awkward pauses, and some conversation. It was tough, but she relaxed even more and felt free to begin sharing some of the things that are really bringing her down and some things that are really bringing her joy. It was lovely, I really enjoyed our time there and actually felt welcome in her home!
House two. This mom is really hard to get a hold of, it's usually by chance that we catch her. Walked up to the house and heard loud music and lots of laughing. I told Celina maybe we should just come back another time or call first. She suggested we knock and ask when another time would be. So...we knocked:0)
The door opened a crack and I said "hello" all nervous but chipper. The door closed and I heard, "turn that down, you got two white chicks at the door" "oh yeah, let them in!" As soon as the door flung open the mom smiled almost with relief to see us. She invited us in as usual and we sat down to chat. Within minutes she became very vulnerable and very real. For the next hour she shared her heart with us, let us hold her and cry, and we read scripture together. The power of the Holy Spirit was upon us. It was so amazing.
I am so blessed to have been an avanue to God's hands at work. So many things could have kept us from seeing her today and from her sharing. But, as usual, God made it happen.
All of you who have been praying for our ministry and our family, please say a prayer for these two moms. Pray that I would follow through as a friend to see how they are doing. Pray that I would be obedient to the leading of the Spirit so these friendships can grow.
Thanks.
Nick scheduled home visits for me today and I wasn't too excited. We visit our Manna Truck families once a month to build a relationship and see how we could meet some of their most basic needs. Usually it's tough to break the ice, things are a bit awkward, and we leave still just being a "service" and not a friend. I've been discourage by this because some families we've seen several times and much more frequently than once a month and still there was such a wall.
Today, my prayer was that conversation would deviate from meeting needs for more than just 5 minutes and we would find at least one thing to talk about.
The first house started as usual, "how was the order last month, what can we find for you this month, how are things going in general?" Then I started to make lame jokes about my life being sucked dry by my two sweet boys and how that's quite a change. She relaxed a bit more, a few more awkward pauses, and some conversation. It was tough, but she relaxed even more and felt free to begin sharing some of the things that are really bringing her down and some things that are really bringing her joy. It was lovely, I really enjoyed our time there and actually felt welcome in her home!
House two. This mom is really hard to get a hold of, it's usually by chance that we catch her. Walked up to the house and heard loud music and lots of laughing. I told Celina maybe we should just come back another time or call first. She suggested we knock and ask when another time would be. So...we knocked:0)
The door opened a crack and I said "hello" all nervous but chipper. The door closed and I heard, "turn that down, you got two white chicks at the door" "oh yeah, let them in!" As soon as the door flung open the mom smiled almost with relief to see us. She invited us in as usual and we sat down to chat. Within minutes she became very vulnerable and very real. For the next hour she shared her heart with us, let us hold her and cry, and we read scripture together. The power of the Holy Spirit was upon us. It was so amazing.
I am so blessed to have been an avanue to God's hands at work. So many things could have kept us from seeing her today and from her sharing. But, as usual, God made it happen.
All of you who have been praying for our ministry and our family, please say a prayer for these two moms. Pray that I would follow through as a friend to see how they are doing. Pray that I would be obedient to the leading of the Spirit so these friendships can grow.
Thanks.
January 16, 2010 at 4:50 PM
This is so wonderful, Mandy. Sometimes getting that breakthrough is the hardest part! I will totally pray for you, that these friendships prove to be fruitful and joyful, for them as well as you. So cool! So hard! hahah
January 17, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Praise God for His working through your willingness!! I think all He needs is an open and willing heart and life and He does his thing. So, well done you for being what He needed in that moment to do His thing! I will remember to pray with you for these friendships to blossom...that's it's not an "us and them" type relationship, but a fruitful, two-way friendship between 2 mothers. You're awesome, Mandy!!
February 7, 2010 at 11:41 PM
What a great resource!