Last summer, my
family was coming home from China, with my brand new sister, Sophia! We were scheduled to land in Chicago at
around 5:00 that evening, but because of storms, we were landed in another town
in Illinois for about two hours, knowing we would miss our flight home, and our
family that awaited us at the airport. Disgusting
feeling, let me tell you.
But while we sat on the plane, I turned on my phone just for it to explode with text messages and things…including a facebook message from a friend I hadn’t spoke to in years, Elizabeth.
I knew Elizabeth from when she used to come to church, we were in youth group together, and she was my neighbor. The message she sent to me was asking for help, help to get back to God, to turn from the path she was headed down.
This began the start of many facebook messages, text messages and phone calls. Talking about lies that Elizabeth had heard that didn’t match up with God’s Word, lies on how to live, lies on how to find happiness. Lies that the world threw at her and that she believed. With every odd ball question she threw at me, I remember always telling her, “Elizabeth, the only truth you’ll ever find is in Jesus. If what you’re believing isn’t what God says is true, then it simply is not true!” I remember getting so frustrated. I remember coming to my dad in his study room, saying this is what Elizabeth is saying now, how in THE WORLD do I even try to answer that.
Now, I know Elizabeth doesn’t mind me saying this, because now, she tells people the same thing when she shares her story.
But while we sat on the plane, I turned on my phone just for it to explode with text messages and things…including a facebook message from a friend I hadn’t spoke to in years, Elizabeth.
I knew Elizabeth from when she used to come to church, we were in youth group together, and she was my neighbor. The message she sent to me was asking for help, help to get back to God, to turn from the path she was headed down.
This began the start of many facebook messages, text messages and phone calls. Talking about lies that Elizabeth had heard that didn’t match up with God’s Word, lies on how to live, lies on how to find happiness. Lies that the world threw at her and that she believed. With every odd ball question she threw at me, I remember always telling her, “Elizabeth, the only truth you’ll ever find is in Jesus. If what you’re believing isn’t what God says is true, then it simply is not true!” I remember getting so frustrated. I remember coming to my dad in his study room, saying this is what Elizabeth is saying now, how in THE WORLD do I even try to answer that.
Now, I know Elizabeth doesn’t mind me saying this, because now, she tells people the same thing when she shares her story.
You see, this was
just over a year ago. I had the
privilege of picking her up and taking her to church in the last few
months. I had opportunities to pray over
her and for her and introduce her to some of my girl friends who leave me
loving Jesus more each time spent with them.
And not only me, but I believe everyone began to see this young lady
changing.
Three weeks ago
today, I waved goodbye across the church parking lot to who has become one of
my very best friends. Because three
weeks ago today, Elizabeth got on a plane for the first time and traveled to
Texas to spend 10 months learning about Jesus Christ and how to teach others
about the Savior of the world.
None of this really hit me until an hour ago. Elizabeth called me and we chatted for an hour and a half about funny stories, my family, her adventures, boys, friends, prayer requests, our dreams and our prayers. And I plan to never forget this moment. “Emily,” she asked, “please pray for my friend. This person challenges me and throws weird beliefs at me and I’m trying to tell him the truth about Jesus but it’s really hard and it frustrates me so much! Sometimes I want to yell, ‘why can’t you just see!?’” It reminded me of something very familiar… And she went on to say, “I know that’s probably how you always felt with me.” We laughed because she totally read my mind. “I’m always telling myself to have patience with them like you had patience with me this whole time!”
Insert tears now. The biggest smile is on my face as I type this.
None of this really hit me until an hour ago. Elizabeth called me and we chatted for an hour and a half about funny stories, my family, her adventures, boys, friends, prayer requests, our dreams and our prayers. And I plan to never forget this moment. “Emily,” she asked, “please pray for my friend. This person challenges me and throws weird beliefs at me and I’m trying to tell him the truth about Jesus but it’s really hard and it frustrates me so much! Sometimes I want to yell, ‘why can’t you just see!?’” It reminded me of something very familiar… And she went on to say, “I know that’s probably how you always felt with me.” We laughed because she totally read my mind. “I’m always telling myself to have patience with them like you had patience with me this whole time!”
Insert tears now. The biggest smile is on my face as I type this.
As we hung up, I immediately thought of 1
Timothy 6:11-12, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good
fight of faith.”
And, later, one of my favorite verses ever… 2 Timothy 4:5-7, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
And, later, one of my favorite verses ever… 2 Timothy 4:5-7, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
I love the wisdom,
instructions, and encouragement that Paul gives to Timothy in these
verses. And it reminded me that
Elizabeth is my Timothy all because the Lord sent my parents to be my Paul. All because Aunt Georgie was (and still is)
my Paul. Because my brother, Caleb, is
my Paul. Because I’ve had a lot of Paul’s
and I’m so beyond….beyond thankful for that.
And now Elizabeth has her own Timothy’s to take under her wing.
I’m just in awe of
the goodness of Jesus.
So, friends, you
truly never know the lives you are changing today. Take every opportunity you get to spread the
Truth….even if it’s hard, even if it’s not ideal. Keep having patience. Keep forgiving. Keep standing up and standing strong. Keep the faith. Because you just may never know whose Paul
you might be.
Keep fighting the
good fight, friends.
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| Elizabeth and I in 2010 Let's just ignore the fact that I'm dressed as a clown...just...don't ask. |
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| Elizabeth and I in 2013 Our day off during our Builders For Christ mission trip in Tennessee. I cleaned up a bit, huh? |
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| Elizabeth today in Texas Supporting and sharing about her school and loving people like she does best! |
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