Watered Hope

Yesterday, I went out to coffee with this girl, Mariah.

It was one of those things that came up a little unexpected, but I want to share a bit about our exchange because I believe God did something deep in the repairing and restoring of my soul yesterday afternoon.

To start off, I want to connect to the friends I have reading this blog who have wrestled in how to genuinely love your family well. Maybe they are hard to love, for whatever reason. This is dedicated to you, to the hope you need, and the hope I pray you find in Christ as you read this and seek good Christian fellowship in your life that will sharpen your heart and mind to become increasingly inclined to love like Christ loves us. May this compel you.


This past week, a guy friend of mine joined me outside after we'd worked on some homework, just to catch up as we often do with our friends on this college campus. We enjoyed some honest, deep, and funny moments from our week and then he asked if there was anything he could pray for before he left for work.

Now, you need to know something. I have PLENTY of things to pray for. (Don't we all!!!) That being  said, I usually cop out with a basic, generic answer, such as "school," "this big project I am working on," "clarity," or "wisdom." All good things, don't get me wrong! But lately as I have been combing through the scriptures I am beginning to see that if I want to see God more in my own life, I need to deeply and specifically lift up prayers that are defined for my life (or whatever it is I am praying for, like leaders, my country, family, etc.). Asking God for specifics is so powerful, especially when we learn to line our prayers up with His Word and Will.

With that conviction fresh in my spirit, I felt a nudge from God deep inside me that said to ask for prayer for my family. Back home, there have been some trying situations that are breaking my heart. I looked at my friend, who could tell I was wrestling with whether or not to say the prayer request that was clearly pulling a toll on my heart and mind. He assured me that I did not have to share what it was, but that if I did he was willing and ready to pray with me for... whatever it is.
Let's pause for a second. I want to be grateful for people who are not afraid to let moments like that be awkward. If you ever have been given grace or have given the grace to give someone else to take time to wrestle with God and stay with them in that moment so that they can be obedient to what God asked of them in that moment- thank you. Thank you for your courage and selflessness. And for being the kind of person that makes people comfortable enough to be able to do that in front of you.
Alright, back to the story!

After a few moments of internal wrestling, I knew I needed to share a little bit more about my family. He graciously prayed over the situation, and we parted ways for the evening.

A few days later, this praying friend followed up to check in, since he continued to pray over the situation. Thank you Lord for praying friends!!! The most important thing he shared with me was actually a question: Do you have any friends that are girls here that you've shared this with? He encouraged me that if I did not, to find a few women of strong faith to share and allow to pray with me over this. I was floored, because I am usually the one reminding ladies to do this very thing, but often in leadership there isn't anyone to remind us (not trying to make an excuse, this is just an observation of leadership roles). And he was right; since many of my friends graduated in May I needed some more women of faith to consistently lift me and my family up.

In comes... MARIAH!
She and I have been talking about getting to know one another, and scheduled coffee at the end of the week. I remember a distinct thought as I stepped out of my dorm room to meet her in the lobby. "God," I said, "I have no idea what this is going to be like, or what on earth we are going to talk about. But God bless it, be there with us, and may it be sweet!"

Who knows that our God is FAITHFUL!! Can I get an Amen from the people in the back?!!!

Only God would put a woman of faith (if she's even human, honestly I am not sure- she's so incredible!!) right after a conversation about my family. She not only is a woman of faith, but someone who deeply understands so many layers of what I am facing with this family situation. It is one thing to share and be supported by any woman of faith. It's a whole different ball game to have truth, hope, and life spoken into you who has walked and is walking through the same fire as you are.

I don't even know how we got on the topic of family. Perhaps it was pent up like the Hoover Dam and ready to burst out, just waiting for the right moment after being held in and kept locked inside for so long.

What I do know is this: Mariah and I will for sure be out to coffee again, and I have a new friend who, as iron sharpens iron, will encourage me (and hopefully I can also encourage her) in our faith. I believe this is a small beginning that will inspire genuine, authentic Christianity for us and in others, as we ourselves are strengthened!

I am excited to say that the small, teensy prayer that I prayed to have a faith friend to share this part of my load with was answered. That answered prayer gives me renewed hope that God might just answer the prayers I pray over my family. And, even if He does not, I am reassured that God sees, hears, and still loves me.

Thank you God, for hearing me. Thank you for putting people in my path that love you and love others well. Thank you for your faithfulness, and for restoring hope in my heart. My heart was weary, and you have given it rest. You are incredibly kind and gracious to me; I will remember your goodness and give you praise.

Love always,
Mel xoxo