Take Time to Pause

I don’t even know her name. But she hasn’t left my mind all day.

A young teen girl walked up to me and my son at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon while we were washing our feet off at a sprinkler. She looked at me and said, do you think this life has any meaning?

I didn’t hear her at first because she was mumbling so I responded with a polite hmm... I don’t know. A second went by and I questioned if I had heard her correctly.

It was as if the Holy Spirit was like- Valerie, pause. Take a moment to see her. Ask her what she said.

So I apologized to her and said, I’m so sorry I don’t think I heard your question clearly. Can you ask it again?

She didn’t mumble this time. She clearly asked, do you think this life has any meaning?

In a moment that I knew was fleeting, I answered with absolute certainty. Yes! I do believe this life has meaning. And I believe your life has meaning as well.

She glanced up, shrugging her shoulders and said why? It’s all going to just die anyway.

And without skipping a beat, I had a brief moment to share where my hope is found.

I said, I believe in life after this life. I don’t have to be afraid of death because I have an eternal hope. I have the hope of Christ. Death has been defeated.

She shrugged off my response and started talking about video games to change the subject.

I wish I could say I was able to keep the conversation going.

Hindsight 20/20 I wish I had taken more time to pause and ask her questions.

I wish I would have thought to buy her some dole whip and have a lengthier Gospel centered conversation.

But here’s the beauty of it all.

This moment wasn’t neat and tied up with a bow.

The conversation felt hurried and honestly a bit messy. I stumbled over my words in an effort to not miss the opportunity.

It was a moment that left me scratching my head as I walked away, thinking.. did that just really happen?

This swift conversation didn’t end with her choosing to follow Christ.

And while all of that is true, what’s also true is how the Holy Spirit works.

God knew this conversation would take place. He knew we would be leaving and taking the time to clean off our sandy shoes, allowing a sweet and intentional opportunity.

And I have to believe that she is searching for more.

Searching for something real.

Something to hold on to.

Something that last.

Someone Eternal!

I pray the brief moment we shared in Disney World will be the start of something beautiful. I pray a tiny seed of hope was planted. I pray that wherever this sweet girl goes in life, the Lord will water the seed that was planted today. And ultimately, I pray she comes to know Jesus and learns what it’s truly like to live in the freedom that Christ provides.

What an honor it is to speak hope and love into others.

I wish I could say I approached her.

I wish I was the one going up to strangers and asking hard questions. Maybe I should be.

But today, I’m so thankful the Lord provides opportunities to pause. To speak with confidence and boldness. And to glorify His name.

Heavenly Father,

I pray for more of these interactions like the one today. I pray you will use me to advance the Gospel in how you see fit.

Help me have the eyes to see those you place in my path. Help me to take time to sit with others. Give me the words to speak clearly. Remind me that nothing trumps the importance of an eternity spent with you. Give me an urgency to speak truth and love into others.

Even on Vacation…

Even at Disney…

Thank you God for this incredible moment. You are so intentional and kind.

Amen.