Friday, May 23, 2008

Joy delayed is not joy denied

I have to admit that there might be some redeeming value in shopping.  Before you think I've gone off the deep end, read on...

Lalia recently visited a women's clothing store recommended by a friend.  Since the shopping experience is as much about social interaction as it is about keeping up on the latest trends, she had soon struck up a friendship with the owner.

To make a long story short, the store owner told Lalia of another friend who had her life transformed at a Christmas tea several years ago. Her old paradigms were turned upside down.  

She had never heard anyone talk that way about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Normally, Baptists and other Protestants in Brazil relegate Mary to the footnotes of their Bibles.  But that afternoon someone gave Mary her rightful place in history and the Scriptures, praised Mary for the right reasons, and ultimately pointed to her Savior and Lord.

The person who delivered the Bible message at that Christmas tea was Lalia.  More than 3 years later, we were able to rejoice, because of what God's Spirit had done.
  
"...we had to celebrate and be glad, because this [sister] of yours was dead and is alive again; [she] was lost and is found."  Luke 15:32

No comments: