The Bridge of Hope
A young woman named Katie (not her real name) knocked on my door, selling children’s books. She intrigued me. Something seemed to be missing in her life. No matter what I asked her, she responded with the same rehearsed script.
After inviting her into my home and looking at the books, I noticed one was about God. I asked, “Katie, do you know God?” She responded vaguely.
At that point in the conversation, I started to share my story of how I discovered hope in the midst of my parent’s divorce. But she interrupted me, “My parents are divorced too.” Then she quickly changed the subject back to books.
I decided to buy some books, hoping that this would give me another chance to talk with her. She told me that she would return in August to deliver them.
Seizing the opportunity
In August, she returned with the books. When I asked her about her day, she began crying. A stressful day caused her to leave her rehearsed script. Finally, my opportunity arrived.
While sitting at my kitchen table, I asked Katie if I could draw out an illustration of my story. She said, “Okay.”
Flipping over scrap paper, I drew a stick figure representing me on the left. I wrote God’s name on the far right. I told her that the wide gap in the middle represented my unwillingness to allow God to control my life, which separated me from Him.
“Katie,” I said, “the Bible tells us, ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ 1 The word sinned in the Bible defines all my mistakes and failures. Instead of going God’s way, I want to be in charge.”
I continued, “The Bible also says, ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ 2 Jesus reconciled me to God by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.”
On my diagram, I added a cross connecting the stick figures that represented God and me. And I wrote the name Jesus above the cross. Between God and me, Jesus was the only bridge of hope.
Lastly I said, “The Bible promised that ‘Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.’ 3 This relationship starts when we invite Him into our lives.” Sensing her openness, I asked, “Katie, would you be willing to place an ‘X’ where you see yourself in this illustration?”
She said, “Okay.” And she drew her “X” just barely on the left hand edge of the cross.
Then I asked, “Where would you like to be?”
She said, “On the right hand side.” She wanted to put her name next to God’s. I told Katie that she could enter into a relationship with Jesus by simply talking to Him.
“Katie,” I asked, “Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life?”
She responded, “Sure.”
So in my kitchen, Katie, my two young sons, and I stood in a circle and joined hands. Then Katie invited Jesus into her life. She prayed, “Jesus, I’m sorry for all my mistakes and failures. Please come into my life.”
After her prayer, I told Katie that she now belonged to Jesus. Katie no longer had to wander aimlessly. The girl who had meandered to my door selling books now left with hope.
Awesome!
Pamela,
This story and the picture is just lovely. I’m touched by how you bought books hoping for another opportunity, knowing, sensing her need. I’ve done the same but the opportunity didn’t end up to be the place of being ready to receive life. However, I know that God uses every little encounter as links on a chain to come closer to him.
A blogging friend sent me to view your work and read your writing. I’ve just begun to watercolor paint and am in the process of frustration with controlling the amount of water and paint. However, God is using the journey of learning the process to show me how driven I am for a product, rather than enjoying the journey.
Your work is lovely and I will be back to enjoy the beauty you reflect of God’s nature and character.
Amy