What if?

I just spent four hours talking with a girl I barely know.  I will tell you, there is no "get to know you" period with her.  Which was nice.  We just jumped right into conversation.  I have to admit, I was rather surprised about what we talked about.  Everything.  We talked about everything.  Relationships, our pasts, school, activities vs sports, education, theatre.  


I will tell you the thing that struck me the most wasn't that we hardly knew each other or that we come from very different backgrounds, but that it was so easy for me to mention the God part of my life when I was talking to her.  Now this girl is not a believer.  She made that very clear.  But when she asked me questions about my life, I just decided to be completely honest.  And if God had a part in a certain aspect of my life or a decision I made, I just said so.  


Just because one is the wife of a man in full time ministry, doesn't mean it is easy for one to talk about her faith with other people.  Especially a non-believer.  Sure, it's easy to acknowledge God's role in one's life when one is speaking with someone who understands and has the same beliefs as one.  


But when that person doesn't believe, personally it is easier for me to leave out the God part.  I feel ashamed to be admitting this to you, but it is the truth.  I struggle to share my faith with those around me.  I have never felt comfortable "presenting the gospel"  I have done it, but it is so unnatural for me.  And I always get so nervous about how a person is going to react when I mention that God had a huge part in a decision or lifestyle choice.  
       What if they look at me funny?
                         
                    What if they get angry?  
                                      
                              What if they think I'm a wierdo?  

     What if they think I am trying to push my 'religion' on them?  
All these questions buzz around in my head and keep me from even mentioning the word 'God.'


Tonight, these questions still buzzed around in my head, but I decided to ignore them.  I said to myself, "Self, just tell the truth.  Be honest.  God is a huge part of your life - just say it."  So when she asked a question, I answered it.  

AND GUESS WHAT????

She didn't get angry.  


               She didn't look at me funny.  


                                She didn't get offended.  

She just listened.

And you know, it wasn't so hard.  I listened to her life stories, just as she listened to mine.  She knows that I believe in God, and that I pray to him, and consult him, and that he has control over my life.  I know that she doesn't do those things.  We talked for four hours.  Anyone who knows me would tell you - that is strange for me.  Maybe not with someone I am close to, but with a person I hardly know?  Never.

I did not share the 'gospel presentation' with her tonight.  I did not bring my Bible.  I did not tell her she needed to 'repent and turn from her evil ways.'  I just talked with her.  And answered her honestly.  

And you know what?  She asked me to come back tomorrow night!  Knowing that we believe entirely differently.  We don't have plans to talk about the Bible, or doctrine, or theology.  And I believe that is okay.  

When a lawyer asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matt 22:37-40 ESV)  

In short - Love God and Love People.  I believe I brought honor and glory to God by keeping him a part of my story.  And I believe that my conversation with this girl is the beginning of showing her God's love.  Who knows if she will become a believer or not?  I don't.  Only God does.  I don't know if I am just the seed planter, or the one who waters the seed, or helps it grow.  But I will do my best with God's help to love her as God would love her.