I keep being reminded of my grandmother and my ancestors. I keep being reminded that I am only where I am in life because of their sacrifices for me. I met a woman named Anna today who reminded me of that. I do taxes seasonally and the tax company I work for does mostly lower income tax filers’ returns. This particular woman I met today was a stripper. But she did not want to be called a stripper. Even when I used the term “exotic dancer” she did not embrace it. Instead, she described herself as “entertainer”. There was a dignity there that kept her from even wanting to be associated with the word “stripper”.
I wondered what separated myself from Anna. We are the same age. We live in the same city. I look back on my journey and see how the Spirit disrupted my life. He said “not you”, and gave me living water. Similar to the woman at the well. I was one of those “well women”. I may not have had experiences as devastating as some, but there was potential there. Yet Christ gave me living water. And I drank and drank and drank. There were times I did not want to drink, but then He fed me with manna.
I pray He feeds Anna with manna.
“Come to Me Anna and I will give you living water. I will show you many things.” That is what Christ says to each of us. That is what He says to the lost and the broken and the hopeless.
He is hope. He is life. He is wholeness.
He makes us a new creature and gives us 2nd chances at life. And 3rds. And 4ths…
Jesus caught me young. I happened to be born into a family who knew Him and therefore I had a foundation to go to when darkness surrounded me. But there are those who do not have that foundation. And they are waiting for you to bring them the light.
To bring them the manna.
SHALOM
Yes, we all may have fallen short at some journey in our life but save all for those that prayed for us, took the time to talk to us and show us how by their example, and not because they were perfect but because someone helped them along with the Lord waiting on us and giving us many chances to do better in His name. For that I am thankful and hope that many others are too!!!! We must lead by example when we know better!!!