In the most unlikely places, a song of truth plays. Or Scripture is repeated. Even memorized. Without explanation.
And the words somehow settle in the brains of young ones. Not fully grasped or understood. Tucked in a corner.
Until one day, clarity comes. And the distant, vague memory is brought to life.
“Now it makes sense.”
The Lord’s Prayer
Several years ago, the ESL program at church decides to have ESL VBS. For the relatives of children attending that week.
One day I’m telling a story about Jesus and the disciples. The time they said, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
As I begin to read the Lord’s Prayer, there’s a commotion in the back of the room.
I look up. An older Chinese woman is talking excitedly with her neighbor.
Now it makes sense
Later I find out why.
As I’m saying the prayer, she starts recognizing the words, the cadence.
This was something her grandmother taught her to say. When she was a little girl. Growing up in China.
Words spoken behind closed doors. In secret.
She had no idea what it meant. What it was for.
Now it makes sense.
Hymn
Earlier this year, in Bible study, the teacher begins to quote a hymn. Says it was a favorite of her grandfather’s.
“And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own…” (C. Austin Miles).
During our table discussion, a friend laughs. She’s a fairly new believer. “This is the first time I’m realizing–that song’s about Jesus.”
Now it makes sense
She thinks she heard it when she was with her grandparents.
And they weren’t believers.
But she heard the song. Maybe at the graveyard. Or a funeral.
“I always thought it was about spending time in a garden.”
We all laugh.
“Now it makes sense!” she says.
His way
The Father is ever working. On the mysterious timeline of His way.
I take comfort in knowing His Word is true. And will have an impact. Though not always in my timing. Or according to my agenda.
And I’m reminded every now and then. A word, a verse, a song may be shimmering in someone’s storage of memories.
Until one day, suddenly it makes sense.
Surprise!
What about you?
Have you witnessed a seed sown years before suddenly making sense to the hearer? What’s your story?
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10 replies on “Now it makes sense”
I love this word of truth that encourages my heart!
I’m so thankful 😊
Susan, So many examples: when irritated, those words from Corinthians 13:4 (Charity/ love’s patience) come unsummoned; when in pain, “The Lord’s Prayer’s” words on the valley of the shadow come unsummoned; when the hassle of Christmas comes, T. S. Eliot’s “A cold coming they had of it,” comes unsummoned; when delight comes, lots of Dickinson comes unsummoned. You are right: when these words of yore have entered our bones early on, they help forever.
Thank you for sharing these, Ellie 🙂
How I love that God is faithful and His Word is enduring! And how I pray for that WORD, hidden deep in hearts, will grow and flourish and bring about His perfect plan!
Joining you in that prayer, sister.
Susan, I loved this story and I thought about a friend when she told me after I explained the plan of salvation to her and she said, “Now I understand. It is like my eyes were closed and now I can see why Jesus died.”
Oh Iracema, thank you for sharing! Isn’t the Lord so amazing in His ways of accomplishing His purpose?
As I was reading In Isaiah 9:2, only an hour ago, God said, see it’s right here about the GA song, ‘We’ve a Story to Tell’ … ‘The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.’ God is so Good!
Love it!! And yes He is!!🙌🏼