To See and Hear Like He Does

Thoughts of a new missionary.....

“What is she saying?” My mind whirls and spins into overdrive, trying to keep up. I’m not catching it all, but I’m getting the gist. My Hispanic friend is pouring out her heart to me, knowing I don’t understand very well yet, trying to talk more slowly but losing the battle as she finally finds ears to listen to what she’s needed to say for so long.
“But why me?” Lord knows I’m the greenest missionary wife ever and though I long and ache for easy communication between friends, I am challenged greatly to participate in this long-awaited conversation.
“Why now?” It’s not like we haven’t talked before, but I sense an urgency in her voice that tells me true communication is happening and I better keep up. We’re not discussing the weather, nor Mexican food, nor her children – but a sensitive subject that is near to her heart.
“Lord, help me!” Tears form in her eyes and her voice quivers and my heart reaches out across the language barrier and embraces her – so do my arms. I am understanding what her heart is saying to me, even though I’m not catching every single word. I am sympathizing with my sister who feels this situation as deeply as any I’ve ever felt. I am remembering that skin color and language make no difference in our Heavenly Father’s eyes – He hears and He understands perfectly.
And He helps me take another heavy block off the language barrier wall and fills my heart with a love I’ve not felt before, a love new to me, but strong enough to grip me and change me in ways I need to be changed. To open my eyes to a whole new world – a world to which He’s called me but for which I feel totally inadequate.
“Te amo, mi amiga – estoy orando por ti” And it hits me – how much I do love her and how this encounter will take me to my knees to pray for her in a whole new way.
Oh, Lord, to see and hear like You do.