You beauty.
As his foot made connection with the ball, the spherical object did not go in a straight direction. Oh no, it curved with majestic grace. It’s flight unhindered by the desperate efforts of the defensive wall and the clutching grasps of the goalkeeper. The sweet trajectory of that crucial element to the game nestled down the side of the goal on the important side and over the line to signify that the aim of the game had been achieved. Literally the goal had been met.
Those who viewed it, whether in support or opposition, by consensus agreed that this was a thing of brilliance. This was something that deserved the greatest applause and appraisal by vocal and other means. So a number of them did so. Supporters being very vociferous in their delight and admiration. Whilst the opponents did not even hold that much of a grudge as they nodded their heads in acknowledgement of the greatness they witnessed and a few put their hands together in appreciation of what they witnessed.
It was tremendous … and yet …
They knew she was lonely at this time of the year. So they made an effort to ensure she was not alone at that time. She was welcome to their home, they set up the spare bedroom especially for her to feel as comfortable as possible. She helped them preparing for the evening meal. They spoke about why it was a lonely time for her. They allowed her to talk as much as she wanted to on the subject. They never pressed her to divulge anything. They cared for her as if she was a member of their intimate family.
They played board games together after the meal. There was laughter at the crazy efforts that some of them went to in order to get an advantage. It was light-hearted and fun, underneath the flow of love and care was unmistakeable. She was fine to hear them pray for her and when she heard their heartfelt words of compassion and care, it moved her to tears.
The following morning over breakfast, the conversation initially looked at some of the things on the news. She initiated the conversation herself on why they did what they did and what it meant for them to pray that way. They patiently shared with her where their lives were before Jesus and the difference He made when they encountered Him and discovered what He had done to invite them to a life where they need never be lonely. She listened carefully and asked questions expressing her concerns and misgivings. They did not behave defensively to her in what she presented, they only sought to understand her and share their understanding as they knew it at that stage.
That was the trigger that got her to talk more about her life, struggles and desires. She wondered what Jesus would do about it. They did not make blanket promises to her, but encouraged her to keep asking questions and even see if it worked if she asked God for herself. That’s as much as they said to her on the matter and returned to the other matters of the day, like her helping with the tidying up of the breakfast material.
When she shared that testimony at her baptism a year later and spoke of the love she experienced not just from them but their church family, her friends who showed up out of courtesy as she invited them were touched deeply. They had noted the change in her over that time and hearing that testimony could not dispute the clear connection between her change for the better and what she was testifying about. They could understand why the church family were excited and delighted for her as she was taking this plunge. They admired it and they were pleased for her. In fact they acknowledged there was something profoundly beautiful about this.
Exquisite and powerful in its way. The applause and celebration they witnessed for this made a more lasting impression on them than that goal they had enjoyed earlier.
They beheld the brilliance of God at work and understood why her words coming out of the water as she looked up in the air, smiling was …
You beauty.
(Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 