My mind whirred like the noise of the mower. I drove back and forth across the ball fields, making sure my mow lines were even. Thoughts rattled around in my head.
I lost track of my straight mowing line and almost ran over a softball.
Focus, Abby.
I saw the company van pull up. My boss’s administrator walked out of the van and came towards me. She smiled as she waved a timesheet for me to sign.
I pulled out my earbuds and took off my helmet and safety glasses. She explained that she needed my signature. I signed the document and put one of my earbuds back in.
“How are you doing today, Abby? You look tired.”
She was observant.
I grinned and shrugged, “Ah, I just didn’t get very much sleep last night. I was up late thinking.”
She was quiet for a moment, then said, “Abby. I know it’s hard when you’re struggling. Just don’t forget the big picture. Jesus will come soon. He’s using this to build you for His kingdom.”
I nodded. She asked if she could pray with me. I nodded again.
We bowed for prayer in the middle of the softball fields. As I sat on the mower and held her hands, I listened to the words she said and began to weep. God used her to speak truth into my life.
After the prayer, she told me she had a chain of people she regularly texted Bible verses to. She asked if I wanted to be included. The next morning after my devotions I received a Bible verse from her, as promised.
The Bible verse was perfect for the struggle I was going through. She didn’t know my struggle, and she didn’t ask. God spoke through her to encourage my heart.
What more would happen if I was bold about my own faith? What truth could God speak into lives if I saw people struggling and asked to pray with them? What encouragement could God use if I was excited about a Bible verse and wanted to text it to a chain of friends?
May I be bold to live out the beautiful freedom God has given me in Christ. May I never be worried about what people will think of ‘how spiritual’ I am. May I testify always to the goodness and grace of God in my life.
After all, He is such a good God, how could we NOT talk about Him.
The Settled Wayfarer 