NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY

   A small statured Mayan woman took a seat facing me. She then began telling her story through a Quiche to Spanish translator.  Her story began, that she was so depressed, that she had been drinking alcohol everyday to rid herself of her sadness.  As I listened to her story, I looked into her sad brown Mayan eyes. I could literally feel the depth of this pain she carried like a backpack.  And, the pain of losing two children in one year engulfed her like a thick cloud.  I leaned in closer to her, as I prayed in the spirit under my breath. The heaviness seemed unbearable.   "This one is God's favorite," I whispered myself. "This is one that He dearly loves. And for this one He died on the cross."
   So there I sat... in front of this one that Jesus loves, and I heard her true tale of tears and sorrow.  In that moment I had no "pill" to give. A pat on the shoulder just wouldn't suffice.  Swirling above all this was the other thought that "she came to this ministry for help" But, only the revelation of Jesus to her heart could change her situation. Only an encounter with God, could turn her weeping into joy.  So somehow ,I had to help act as a bridge, that could get this woman to God. Wow, what a heavy ministry.
    I cannot explain to you the deep burden my heart feels every time that these beautiful people come to us for help. But, I do feel such a sobriety because these are people that God loves dearly. These are God's favorite ones. In the Bible, over and over again, it says that God himself looks after the poor and needy. What a "weighty" ministry it is to serve the poor and needy.  I know that I must deal rightly, justly, and compassionately. This is not a ministry to be taken lightly. But I also know, that the answer is always. . . prayer.