God’s Love Shows Up With Dessert By Linda McDougal

Sharing the good news of the gospel with others isn’t easy, but I find when I visit friends, God’s love always shows up with dessert.

Valentine’s Day is complicated – especially if you are a “married single” in the church. When that was my status, I felt like I didn’t fit with either the married couples or the singles’.

One place I was always welcome, however, was with the ladies going through transition, like me. We were all in the throws of divorce, so we celebrated Cupid’s holiday – solo.

 

 

 

Food And Fellowship

I am forever grateful for the small group of women I call dear friends –  gals I count on to help me celebrate strong bonds of love  we have forged together over the years.

For us, “Galentine’s Day”  is about  honoring “platonic connections that bring joy, understanding, mutual respect, support, and encouragement, deeply enriching our lives. “

For many years,  I have had the privilege of hosting ladies for brunch after church on Sunday. Making  favorite dips and homemade soups, like vegetable crab, is always a hit when we get together, but I really felt the intimacy and closeness  in our godly fellowship when dessert is brought out.

 

 

Best Practices

I’m always looking to enlarge my friend group – as I delight in having strong rapport in relationships that exude strong, female comradeship.

But shining the light of the gospel and doing the work of an evangelist  has been challenging for me.

One of my biggest crisis’ of faith occurs when I try to share my personal walk with God in ways people can identify.

Are you frustrated like me?

How does one interact with the demographic of precious people – who are interested in God, but not yet ready to be 100% committed to the Christian walk?

It’s a daunting challenge to greet this crowd with “manna from heaven,” but we can be of good cheer.Since God’s love never fails, and it covers a multitude of sins, I believe we can actually make a difference in the lives of unsaved, backslidden believers and those who are interested in the mystical.

Whether they realize it or not, I believe this hungry bunch is ravenous for an authentic encounter with the glorious Maker of the universe.

As a Bible, believing person, our testimony about the love of God cannot be argued with: it’s our story of his goodness, our personal narrative, and it’s not up for debate.

One way to make an inroad and soften hearts is to offer the truth about God’s desire to genuinely and deeply bless them. 

 

Turn Up The Volume

Below is a snip-it from an encounter I had with a caring, beloved individual that I’ve known for years.

When I look back, what stands out for me is how I felt I blew it: I couldn’t answer the accusations about my faith in Christ, but God’s love showed up when I rang the doorbell, Valentine cupcakes in tow.

 

With dessert in one hand, and the box of prayer cards in the other, I hugged her and gently laid the items on the living room table, hidden from view. I was still seeking God about His perfect timing… when to share more intimate stories about walking with the Holy Spirit.

I was praying today was the day I could inspire my friend to get closer to the Lord.

A Complicated Mess

After apologizing for looking unkempt, stating she allowed herself to sleep in, I quickly realized today was not the appointed hour to evangelize. This day I wouldn’t be saying His name, despite how much it grieved me to not share my personal testimony of a loving Jesus. 

My friend said she hadn’t slept in days. Noting the obvious tension in the room, I was sure that today she required my presence, not my advice.

“All I ever wanted was a happy family. My kids were my whole life. I never wanted to end up divorced and my children hating me.”

It’s Heartbreaking…

As much as I wanted to share the good news of the gospel, I knew better. This was not the time. Honoring my friend meant I yielded to her wishes; I didn’t press mine.

James 3:16 states “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.”

 

Had I said something trite like “God works all things out for our good,” it would have been like rubbing salt into an open wound, plus my friend didn’t have ears to hear truth: she was trapped in the snare offense.

 The Holy Spirit quickened to me  2^nd  Corinthians 4:4.”  I was reminded of the spiritual battle that blinded my friend from seeing the truth of the gospel of Christ.

I found it best to proceed cautiously, with God reminding me that His love “covers a multitude of sins and overlooks unkindness.”

 

Words of Wisdom

By just caring for my distraught friend, and by listening to her grave concerns  -not offering advice nor giving unkind platitudes, I was extending Christ Jesus to her.

This gentle approach was something she could embrace.

Suffice it to say, when our visit was over, both of us were mentally exhausted.

I said goodbye, scooped up my prayer cards without my friend noticing, give her one last hug and whispered, “I know you’ve heard me say it before, but “without Him, without the true Jesus, I wouldn’t be in  my right mind.  He saved me, so be assured:  He can save you too.”

 

The Right Place, The Right Time

Timing is everything. It’s so important we ask to join what the Father is already doing on this earth and not go ahead or lag behind him in his good deeds.”

On our journey to reach beloved, lost and confused souls, I think it is important to stay away from using Christian jargon or quote bible scriptures when this is not welcome.

 Would you agree we don’t want the gospel to be trodden underfoot? In some cases we dare not utter an unsolicited word about our personal walk with our Creator as it can be a stumbling block to the unsaved.

In the instance with my spiritually-interested friend, had I used Bible scripture when it was not warranted, I believe it would have turned her further from God.

I believe we all desire to lead many to righteousness, but what is paramount (in my opinion) is the clarion call is to be prepared to give an answer to those seeking higher truths, with gentleness and respect is the ultimate challenge, but I think we will defy all the odds and win the lost – to God be the glory.

May our prayer be, “Loving Father, as we try to share your precious gospel message with others, and are met with rejection and hardship, give us strength to share our faith, showing the reason for the hope with have in You. We believe that as we pray for our friends and loved ones, you will   reveal yourself, the true Savior. The one that wraps His loving arms around those who are hurting.