Some might call it stepping out of your comfort zone. Sometimes it’s simply doing the right thing. To me, it was keeping a promise.
She was nineteen. A bright and beautiful new Christian finding her way. She was our daughter’s best friend. Her living situation, at the time, was not ideal, but it seemed better and easier to her than remaining in the house where her Mom had just passed away. One day, while pondering her choices, Meagan posed a question to our daughter, “Do you think your parents would let me come live at your house?”
It only took a moment before Meagan’s question pierced my heart, and all I could think about was the promise I had tearfully made to her mom the day before she lost her battle with cancer. I remember it so well. “I promise – I’ll look after your daughters.”
I knew instantly that inviting Meagan into our home was a great way to keep that promise. Like most young ladies her age, she was walking through a very pivotal season in her life. While a very independent young adult, she still needed a little guidance to help her discover that the plans God had for her were better than she could dream or imagine. Our family had already opened our hearts to her. Opening our home was the next right thing to do.
Looking back, the few years that Meagan lived with us were providential in many ways. God provided a plan. We provided a fresh start, and Meagan provided for us another big sister and an extra set of eyes on our rambunctious little boy, a toddler at the time, who adoringly re-named her, “Meggy.” And the cherry on top – having the extra daughter in my home was so good for this momma’s soul. The duo of adventurous young ladies kept me alive and on my toes. (But those are stories for another time.)
And so, a kept promise, an opened door, and the willingness to step out of the normal helped clear a path for a daughter to find her purpose in God. While we can’t take the credit for transforming her life, I know that God used those years of living in our home to deeply root and establish Meggy, heart and soul, in God’s house.
Today, Meggy passionately loves and serves Jesus. She is now 24 years old and married to an amazing young man from our church. She, along with her husband, now mentors other young people on their journey of discovering God’s best for their lives. And I can’t express how my heart is deeply touched each time I look up and see Meggy leading worship. It’s captivating. This is just one beautiful example of what the grace of God can do when a young life finds it’s planting.
Hebrews 10:25 MSG
Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
Devoted Conference is right around the corner. And yes, sometimes it takes stepping out of our comfort zone. Sometimes it takes resolve to do the right thing. The gathering of women is so much more than showing up to a conference. Women of all ages truly need each other. The younger women need the embrace, the acceptance, and the guidance of the older women. As for us “older” women… (hey, we are all older than somebody) …we need the fresh perspective and the splash of rejuvenation that comes from time spent with the younger ladies. Vibrancy can be contagious!
May we never forget the beautiful exchange that takes place in the divine gathering of daughters. Our Father God is so faithful, and His promises are true. He will, without doubt, cause each of us to flourish beautifully in this glorious planting.
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:13 (NKJV)
Devoted Devotional By Beth Green