Sunday, January 15, 2012

Not Too Small (Part 2)

Not Too Small (Part 2)
During the months that past, Rachel became accustomed to the routine in Naaman’s household. Her mistress was kind and fair, and Rachel never wanted for anything. Rachel was even able to tell her mistress about the Lord God on occasion.
One morning as Rachel came into her mistress’s chamber, she found her mistress in tears upon her bed.
“Mistress, what is wrong?”
“Oh Rachel,” moaned her lady. “My husband has leprosy. Whatever are we going to do?”
Rachel had nothing to say to her mistress. She knew what happened to people with leprosy. They were shunned from their families because the disease was so easily spread. They had to live in a leper colony and wait to die. Rachel had never wanted to be taken from her family, but she had developed a sincere love for her master and his wife. She did not want anything to happen to them. Suddenly, she had an idea.
“Mistress, I know of a prophet in Israel that can help my master. He follows the Lord God closely and can be of help in this situation.”
Her mistress’s eyes lit up as she listened to Rachel’s words.
“Come child, we must tell the master at once.”
As soon as Rachel and her mistress presented Naaman with the idea, a letter was immediately sent to the king of Israel. Naaman was told to go see Elisha the prophet. Naaman and his caravan prepared to leave as soon as possible. On the morning of their departure, Rachel approached her master and said,             
“Master, may the Lord God go with you and keep you. You are in my prayers.”
Naaman looked at Rachel with a puzzled look in his eyes. He kissed his wife good bye and mounted his horse. As they pulled away from the house, Rachel prayed with all of her heart that Naaman would see the truth of God.
A few days later, a cloud of dust came rolling down the road as Naaman and his men returned. Rachel ran into the house calling for her mistress.
“My lady, my lady, they’re home, they’re home!!!!”
Upon hearing Rachel’s cries, the Naaman’s wife ran for the door, just in time to be gathered into the arms of her husband.
“Naaman,” cried his wife. “You are healed!!!”
“Yes my dear wife, I am healed by the hand of the God of Israel.”
Rachel began to smile from ear to ear. Praise the Lord! Her master saw the power of God and acknowledged His presence. It was such a great beginning.
“Thank you Rachel,” said Naaman as he approached Rachel. “Thank you for telling me of Elisha and your God.”
Rachel humbly bowed her head and murmured her thanks as well. As her master and mistress left to go tell the others in the household, Rachel lifted her eyes to the sky and began to praise the Lord. Just as Rachel had not known what would happen when she was taken from her home, and just as she had not known what would happen when her master went to visit the prophet, Rachel did not know what the rest of her life would bring. She did not know if she would ever go home, or if she would ever see her family again, but what she did know was that the Lord would always remain faithful to her and that she would always remain faithful to Him. As Rachel turned to enter to the house, she glanced behind her once more just in time to see the tiny rainbow forming on the horizon, yet another constant reminder of God’s love, protection and thoughtfulness for us.....

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When I finished reading the story to the girls, I glanced up, only to see every single eye trained on me. I felt an overwhelming feeling of unworthiness as I realized these sweet young girls were hanging on to every word I said. It was an incredible responsibility. Sometimes I don’t think we take ministring to people as seriously as we should. I know at times, I don’t. Just taking a moment to realize that what comes out of your mouth could forever impact someone’s impression of Jesus…. Wow….

As excited as I was that the girls seemed to so thoroughly enjoy the lesson, there were a few more things I wanted them to take with them when they left… Three traits they all had in common with this young girl. Three traits that some already had, and that all of them were becoming.
1.       This girl was courageous

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

I told them, that, most likely this young girl shed many tears over her situation. And she most definitely worried about the future, but the key was that she didn’t give up because she knew her God was stronger than all of her fears and heartache.

2.       This girl was tenderhearted

James 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

This girl had apprehensions. I mean, who wouldn’t, but I told the girls that bitterness and hatred did not follow her fears. Instead, what followed her fears was love. Love for people who didn’t love her back, at least not right away. Compassion for people who showed absolutely none for her family and homeland, and mercy when she could have left her knowledge unshared and let Naaman die a horrible and shameful death. These girls lived constantly with people who didn’t care about them or their needs, and I didn’t want to see them grow up to be bitter and angry when I knew that God could take the most horrible of situations and use it for his glory.
3.       This girl was young

Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well

Often young children are discounted for that very fact, they are young. They may be small and weak in body, but more often than not, children are stronger and more resilient in spirit than most adults. One area in which they are not weak though, is in the area of potential. I wanted my girls to see the potential in themselves. I could see it from miles away, but when you are constantly told that you stupid and worthless, you start to believe it.

I ended with inviting my girls to come to Jesus if they had not already done so. And if they had, to commit to learning from this young girl who was in many ways, just like them. When I hugged all my sweet girls goodbye that afternoon, I was struck with how blessed I was to know all of them. I know, for that Saturday afternoon, I was the instructor, but in preparing for the lesson, they had been the ones teaching me. Their life circumstances commanded me to step outside the norm of what I knew and was familiar, and to delve into understanding life from someone else's perspective. Without them, I wouldn’t have understood bravery or joy the way I do now. Without them, I would not have learned to laugh at myself and ignore the checklist that we at times so diligently follow. I may have taught them the Scriptures, but they taught me to live.

“To my girls: I may never see you again this side of eternity, but I want to thank you for making a difference in my life, and for being patient with me as I tried to make one in yours. I love you all….”