Who Led You to the Lord?
Date: Friday, April 9th Title: Who Led You to the Lord? Mayce Nierenberg DelValle Focus verse: Give her honor for all that her hands have done Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate Proverbs 31 (Adventure Bible NIrv Version)
I grew up as what I have now coined to be a “convenient Jew”. What I mean by this is that I was raised Jewish, and we practiced when it was convenient. The High Holy Days, Hannukah, Passover, those holidays were always observed, and still are but we never went to temple and I never went to Sunday school or Hebrew school. I say, everything I always wanted to learn about Judaism I learned from sleep away camp. For eight weeks each summer of my teen years, my sister and I went to a Jewish sleep away camp in upstate NY which quite frankly aligned with the same style of teaching that my parents imparted on us …convenient. The major difference between camp and home was at camp we kept Kosher and we observed Sabbath. Camp to me didn’t really reinforce any history or tradition, it was more a great time to reconnect with old friends. I don’t have any resentment about the way I was raised, it was more like, it was what it was and until recently it fit into “the box” of my life.
About 5 years ago I met Missy Washam through our work with the John Maxwell Team. We became fast friends and I admire and respect Missy greatly. When we first met, we could not have been more opposite. But you know what they say…opposites attract. Missy’s faith was strong and the thing I love most about her faith is that she honors God and also respects where others are at in their faith journey. I’ve had others in my life try to “force” their “religion” on me over the years and with Missy, nothing was forced, she lives her life with God’s face shining upon her and she attracts others with her light. God placed Missy in my life for a reason and through this season our friendship has grown stronger and deeper on many planes.
Missy has been so patient with me on this walk. I am someone who asks A LOT of questions; that is how I learn. Missy never was frustrated with me and always takes the time to help me understand the deeper meaning of the Word. Missy has been walking with me in faith for the past 2 years-we have laughed, we have cried, we have prayed our way through many of life’s circumstances. We have participated in several Bible studies, pray together daily, and most importantly we have both grown through this experience. We continue to challenge each other and comfort each other. My desire is to grow deeper in my faith so that I too can share the beauty of having a relationship with Jesus. I love that I don’t have to do this alone. I have a true soul sister in Missy and I thank God every day for the person she is in my life. I don’t know where my life would be without her and God I am grateful that I don’t have to worry about that. Just like Jesus, Missy will never leave me or forsake me.
For further reading: Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12, 1 Peter 2:9 2 Corinthians 4:6
Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for the friend I have in Missy. I thank you for bringing her into my life, for without her, I may not know you Jesus. I pray that my story will be the light for others and bring people closer to know you. In Jesus’ name and for the Father’s glory, Amen.