Today we talked with my mentor in Scripture engagement in Dallas, Wayne Dye, via zoom. He and his wife Sally have greatly influenced my life and ministry. Stories of God working in Nigeria that I've told many times on zoom calls and in person since we've come back to the United States last December felt new as Wayne and Sally resonated and teared up at the thrill and joy of people rejoicing in the Words of life with us.
I feel so far away from those stories these last few months. Sometimes it's hard to believe those stories were my life, and God is still calling hearts to himself and growing the seeds that have been planted by so many through the years in Nigeria.
I have started school activities with my two older girls. With the twins on my back, in my arms, or on the floor finding strange bits to stuff into their drooling mouths and Mariama and Lydia engaging at their own levels with various activities, I feel every moment consumes all of my energy. I do sometimes wonder if God has given me the joy of twins to help me see my weaknesses, and learn to depend on his strength!
I realized why sometimes motherhood has taken me by surprise as I shared with Wayne and Sally. When you prepare to train a group of people, you study the manual, perfect your presentation...and BAM...you see the words or ideas impacting the participants. It is thrilling! We know we're bringing something that is wanted and needed, and it is received with such joy!
Raising children is not like that! It's totally unpredictable. Now, very few trainings in Nigeria ever go how I planned, so there is THAT. BUT, while an explanation of why we don't run through huge mud puddles on the way to church made perfect sense to child one, it sends child two into a tizzy, running straight for said puddle only to fall with a splash, initiating shrill shrieks of despair!
As I expressed how unqualified I feel in this task, remembering that this is a season we are learning through, Wayne said, "Sometimes we think the interruptions disrupt ministry, when the interruptions ARE ministry." He encouraged me by pointing out that the most memorable moments in Jesus ministry were unplanned. Ah, may I be like Jesus in this beautiful wonder...He allowed the interruptions of ministry to reveal God's character, inviting his world into relationship with the Father who makes the most of every person and every opportunity. To use the unexpected moments as Jesus did, and reveal the Father who is never too busy to listen, engage, divulge, bend, hold, and heal. May I consider this season a time for spontaneous ministry opportunities, welcoming the interruptions with grace and wisdom.
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