The One

God has not given me a preeminent platform by which to reach the masses. However, He has granted me the gift of reaching one at a time. I am grateful for what He sees fit in my life. I am grateful for the one.

A year ago, a sweet young woman came into my life. She was scared, completely lost, orphaned in every sense of the word and untrusting of any form of solace. She had my heart immediately and the mama in me wanted so desperately to just scoop her up and hold her but the Jesus in me said “wait.” That’s right, the most compassionate person that ever was or will ever be said to wait. Instead, I had to love her from a distance.

I prayed for her, as I still do. At every opportunity, I initiated small talk hoping that she would begin to open up…hoping that I would gain her trust. I asked Jesus to shine big in me! I was determined to win her over and at some point be a mother figure for her.

It’s been baby steps…slow and steady progress…AND this week I got the break through I’ve been praying for! Let me boast of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness for a minute. Psalm 139:13 says “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” God knows everything about this girl…every detail. He hasn’t missed a single tear either…He knew that my girl was scared and scarred. He knew that she had constructed a massive wall around her heart that took years to create. That wall would have to be dismantled slowly. In my zeal and compassion, I would have been an enemy trying to slingshot my way over…it would’ve ended badly. But God LOVES her!! That’s why I didn’t get the green light right away. Instead, I became intercessor before I could become friend.

This week I threw a surprise birthday party for her. She was so happy…genuinely happy; the kind of happy that brings tears to this mama’s eyes and overflowing joy to my heart. She laughed a lot and was like a kid without a care in the world. When I took her home, she gave me a big hug and rested her head on my shoulder. My heart was bursting. I was finally able to hold this girl and love her like she deserves to be loved. Today I texted her to check on her and ended my text with “love you!” And she quickly responded with “love you too.” She finally has a place where she belongs. She’s not an orphan anymore.

Jesus gets the glory! This is 100% His beautiful and perfect plan unfolding! Once again, He leaves me in awe and so humbled that He would include me in the story. I don’t have a platform to reach the masses. I’d love to see the world as God intended for it to be…with no broken hearts and the word “orphan” no longer exists but I am one person. So, I walk with my eyes, hands and heart open awaiting the next opportunity.

I’ve noticed that this is often how the story goes. I think it’s because God loves the intimacy of sharing your heart and time with the one…just how He’d always go after the one…He’s fully invested in the one, setting the example for me. One person can change the course of one person’s life and so on… It really is a domino effect and some glorious day when we all gather on Heaven’s shores, there will be one after one after one that line up farther than the eye can see because God’s children heard the call to go after the one and Heaven will be filled with those precious ones.

Friends, you may not be an “influencer.” But on some level, you are influencing someone. You’re words and actions are taking root in someone’s heart. One by one, YOU are making a difference. Be brave and keep looking for opportunities. Listen and look for God’s “green light” and when you get it, love like there’s no risk of heart ache. After all, that’s how He loves the one.

I hope you girls have heard my heart in this. I never EVER want to sound braggadocious. This story is delicate and still unfolding. As I said before, I am in complete humility that God allowed me to be in the plan for this young lady’s life. Honestly, it leaves me scratching my head sometimes because I am just your average girl. But I love Jesus with my whole being and I love the people He gave His life for…That includes you precious ladies!! I love you all dearly.

Hey girls! Remember you are uniquely made on purpose, for a purpose and for such a time as this. Until next week…