While Waiting....

One of my "saves" from the abortion mill texted me. Her baby had missed two appointments for her shots because it was so frigid outside and L was worried her baby would get sick. She had to take the bus, and walk some distance to the stop through the bitter cold. I volunteered to drive them to the doctor's office. Great! And by the way, it was three o'clock that afternoon...would that work?

I dashed out and arrived at their home a half hour later. The younger sister, a 9th grader, asked if she could come with us. I don't know why on earth she might want to go to a doctor appointment, but assumed she must be bored, and any adventure was better than sitting around the house. So the three of us and Baby headed to the doctor's office.

Driving is a great way to share comfortably with others. Soon after pulling out of her driveway, L opened her heart to me. She had a dilemma that involved saying no to a friend's great need, but one that conflicted with her own plans to build a future for herself and her child. We discussed for the full half hour as we drove, contemplating what would Jesus have her do, and when is it ok to say No to protect yourself and your family?
"But do you feel bad when you say No?" she asked.
"Of course," I said, "But sometimes I must.Who is your priority now?"
"My baby."
"Yes, and your decision must reflect honoring God and keeping your baby your first priority."
What she needed to do was clear with those parameters. I could see her struggling in her heart, but felt confident this brave, young woman would make the right choice.

We arrived at the office. Typical of any doctor appointment, we waited a half hour before being seen. L looked tired and Baby was a little fussy. So I took Baby in my arms, and went to show her the artwork along the hallways while L closed her eyes. Baby was fascinated. She also got a huge kick out of the water fountain. Sister joined us, and as we walked along the hallways, I asked her what she perceived in the abstract art. Her insights amazed me. We had so much fun talking about what the artist intended, and what we liked about each painting.

Finally, L was taken back to her doctor. The sister and I now sat in the waiting room where we waited. And waited. And waited.
"Want me to teach you how to draw a horse?" I asked.
"Sure."
So step by step, I taught Sister how to draw a horse. She was very serious as she followed my instructions. It was by far the best horse she had ever drawn, she reported. We finished the horse, and then drew a dog, and then we sat back, and waited. And waited. And waited.

It suddenly occurred to me that waiting is not a disadvantage, but an opportunity.
"Do you believe in Jesus?" I asked. We had a great discussion, ending with Sister saying how much she would like to go to church. Then I talked about God's protection, and His plan of marriage before any sexual intimacy. She listened closely. She had seen what her sister was going through as an unwed mother, struggling to balance work, a baby, college dreams, and a future. A nurse walked by, and paused, listening.

Noticing her watching us, I smiled at her. She said, "I try to do what you are doing, too. Every opportunity I get. This is how you change the world."

Sister was very attentive, and believed that God's plan had merit. She would try to follow it. I told her if she ever felt weak, wavering, please call me, and I would remind her of how God loves us, and gives us His guidelines to help us. We talked about a specific verse in the Bible about following Jesus, and what that really meant. At that point, L emerged with Baby, and I realized I had not minded waiting after all.

When I dropped the girls back home, L's younger brother and  young cousins saw me and called out, "Miss Vicky!" In a rush, they came running over and threw their arms around me. As I hugged this little family that I have come to know and love, I thought how blessed I was to have shared the day, and God, with them. And what a joy to have had all that time to speak with them while waiting!
 *******
If you would like to be blessed with serving God in pointing young women to choose life, please contact Lisa Metzger at  lisametzger@cities4life.org
*******

Colossians 4:5 

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Ephesians 5:15-20

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.