Last week, I finally, after months and months of wondering, started seeing wings.
Through both my work with the church and a local non-profit where I chair the Board, I got to meet and work with a very special lady. We helped her stay somewhere safe, helped her discern next steps, made sure she had meals. On the last day we worked with her officially, over a meatloaf and salad lunch at Cracker Barrel, the Holy Spirit reminded me it was Wednesday.
"Would you like to come to church with me tonight?"
I described the ministry I get to lead, for addicts and those struggling, for the grieving and those in crisis. And she nodded her head and smiled a shy smile, and said yes, she would.
I picked her up and brought her to this place and these people that mean so much to me. I got her a Bible, wrote in the front cover about her new life. She sat next to me as my VIP guest.
One of my sweet girls - a tried and true Sunday morning Bible study attender, who's a light for Jesus to the staff she serves with at a local restaurant - the same girl who had given me a personalized card at Christmas - turned the corner into the worship center and saw my new friend. They knew each other! I had no idea about my sweet girl and her past. My new friend said my girl looked so good. I told her, 'Yes, that's what Jesus does for us. He makes us new. She can be a picture of hope for you. If she can do it, so can you!"
My sweet girl had been there all along. Quietly and bravely doing all the right things, leaning on Jesus, coming each week, being a light to those around her.
The large group teaching topic was on transformation. The guy I asked to teach - perfect timing only God could orchestrate - used butterflies as his sermon illustration.
Butterflies.
Sometimes they're bright and beautiful and noticed - the ones everyone wants to be around. The ones everyone wants to have a glimpse of seeing them fly. Monarch orange or bright blue, the flashy wings mesmerize and dazzle.
Most other times, though, they are just quietly and bravely doing the right things, leaning into the wind, being a light to those around them. Unnoticed, but there all along, making life beautiful.
Sometimes, the most effective ministry is found in the most hidden places.
Like another story that happened Sunday.
The Sunday morning Bible Study got started because another sweet girl and I were going to just get together to study the Bible one-on-one. But that first Sunday all those months ago, she texted and said, "I've got ten friends I'm bringing with me!" She single-handedly started this Bible study that has meant so much to all of us. I have loved watching her grow into a leader in this group. She lights up a room now. She smiles so bright.
So many of us have said that she has bloomed right before our eyes.
Sunday, this girl I've poured into, baptized another girl she's been pouring into.
Disciples are making disciples, right before my eyes.
It was all so unspeakably confirming to me that God has me right where He wants me. The Great Commission is happening. He has me ministering to as many butterflies and blooms as I can in the church - both those who we know their stories, and those we don't.
The point is, God does. He knows every windswept story and He cares. He sees them all.
And, in it all, He sees me too.
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