A Girl Named Lydia

Hey friends!

My team and I go this place called Worship Room every Thursday. It’s a bilingual worship service which is just absolutely incredible, God’s presence fills this place. After two months of not having corporate worship and a teaching in a language I could understand I really can’t express how sweet this time is for me. Our first night was especially cool because not only was a large part of our Squad (H Squad) able to be there but we also had I Squad, G Squad, and Gap Year World Racers there. We had just arrived in Guatemala and they were all about to leave for Costa Rica so everyone was chatting trying to find out more about their next ministry placements. 

It was a little crazy and everyone I knew was in deep conversation with someone so I decided to do a little ATL (ask the Lord). I went to a bench a little ways away from everyone and asked God what I should do. To my surprise He told me to go hug my squad mate Kelsie Miller, so I did and I hadn’t realized how much I needed a hug. Worship Room began and was really wonderful!

After it ended everyone went back to chatting and once again I found myself outside of any groups. I decided to ask the Lord what to do again and this time instead of telling me to interact with someone He told me to go sit back on the bench from earlier. I was shocked and asked again just to be sure, but that was definitely His answer.

The bench was even more removed from everyone now and in complete darkness. I sat there and asked “what now?” And would you believe He said “Read your bible” with no small amount of sass I said “How in the world am I suppose to read my bible, it’s completely dark over here!” I can imagine God Shaking His head at me while He said “Use your phone” I felt sheepish as I pulled my phone out and went to the bible app. I read a little devotional that popped up about unintentionally excluding people. I finished and thought “Well God, I’m excluding myself right now…What do you want me to do now?” He told me very strongly “Talk to Lydia” now my teammate Lydia had stayed home this night so with even more sass than before I said “Lydia’s not even here!” Patiently, He said “Look for someone being excluded” Finally, something to DO. 

I stood up and turned around to go look for this person when there she was right in front of me! An 18 year old girl sat alone on the other side of the table. I thought “Oh…this is why you wanted me over here in the dark” I sat down and we chatted for 10 or 15 minutes and then her group was leaving. Our conversation wasn’t deep, but it was full, and I knew she felt known and seen by our Heavenly Father. When she went to leave we exchanged names…hers was Lydia!

God’s just so cool and I’m so thankful He chooses to use me, even when I give him attitude.