7,620

Sunny, 79 degrees, and a light crisp breeze in the air. 
The season went from winter to summer. 
Some how spring this year didn't find its
way to this neck of the woods.
Every errand Mom had to do that day was on the opposite side of town.
Between appointments going back and forth, from pick ups and drop offs, 
see had encountered 
the same 4 way stop, the same intersection, the same turns; right going there, and left coming back. 
4 times, in a span of 30 minutes.

While stopped at that intersection, 
before she had ever noticed the marquee scrolling the events for the weekend
she noticed the little girl in her long white dress with her white cotton sweater, and the little boy all primed and ready in his blue suit
 gingham checked shirt and tie holding mommy's hand.
Both eager to skip across the walk-way as soon as the signal gave way.

A tear instantly fell down her face knowing exactly who those children were.
That one tear instantly turned to hundreds
 her eyes now cloudy
panicking 
would she clear those tears 
before the light turned green and she had to step on the gas and go.

Through all those tears she saw herself 31 years ago.
She was skipping.
She was happy.
She was eager to go across the walk-way.
She was doing what she knew life to be.
She didn't know 
people were questioning her where abouts, or why she was in town.
She didn't know
 she was different.
She didn't know
 the whispers were about her.
She didn't know
 the people on the streets passing her by in their cars 
didn't know what she knew.
She thought everybody knew.
She thought everybody understood.
She didn't know that she was different.
She didn't know...

With the busyness of the day
daytime quickly turned to evening.

With the oldest daughter out working for the evening
and the other two daughters at a sleep over
they were left with only the two little boys on a Friday evening.
Mom says
"Let's go out to dinner.  It won't cost as much we only have two of the kids tonight."
Dad says, "Sure why not."
Dad chooses the restaurant for the evening and they come to yet again
the same 4 way stop, the same intersection, the same turns, right going there, and left coming back
Mom realizes it will be a long wait in the restaurant, and questions if it's even worth the time and effort. 

She realizes; they have all been let out for the day.

As Mom enter's the restaurant with her family
she is surprised by how comfortable she feels.
The feelings of awkwardness are gone.
The feelings of being an outcast are gone.
The feeling of rejection is long gone.
The feeling of unwontedness is a thing of the past.

Mom is wearing a skirt.
They think she is one of them.
They think that she is one that has
been let out for the day.
To yet return tomorrow and the next.
But Mom doesn't have her badge on.

Still
Small hello's are exchanged.
Light friendly gestures are made.
Mom makes small conversation with the lady to the left of her
 as each wait for their table to become ready.

Now 20 minutes into the meal.
Dad says:  "I wonder how many were there today?"
I say: "7,620!"
Dad says (in shock, amazement, and shear unbelievablenes
 (I know that's not even a word) : 
"Ah-ha, you pretended to be one of them, when you were talking to that lady!"
I with a smile said;
"I will use what God gave me!"

I will forever from that day forward:
Make good what was meant for evil!

I will forever from that day forward:
Be Christ like and show loving-kindness to those that have despised me.

I will forever from that day forward:
Be the light in the darkness.

I will forever from that day forward:
Forgive 70 X 7.

I will forever from that day forward:
Love those that are so regularly rejected, and misunderstood;
that little girl in her long white dress and white cotton sweater.

I will forever from that day forward:
Drive a stake in the ground and lay claim 
to One Life
One Focused Goal
and One God! *

There was a reason that day 
that I had encountered that same
 4 way stop, that same intersection, the same turns right going there, and left coming back
So that I could pray for all 7,620 in attendance on that 
Friday's District Convention 
of Jehovah's Witnesses.


And I will forever from that day forward:
Pray for every 
wondering former Jehovah's Witness
not knowing where to turn
 that they may come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
For there is freedom only in Him.

And I will forever from that day forward:
Pray for every Jehovah's Witness
to come out of the darkness and into Light and
the Truth of God's Word.
Genesis 50:20
Matthew 5:44
John 1:5
Matthew 18:21-23

*Beth Moore-James Mercy Triumphs Bible Study



3 comments:

  1. Wow! I was touched by what you wrote. The best is yet to come. God hears, receives and acts on your prayers. Keep looking up! Blessings!

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  2. Beautiful. My eyes are full of tears. How did I not see this last July??

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  3. Beautiful. My eyes are full of tears. How did I miss this last July???

    ReplyDelete