Susan LaffertyThe early morning taxi was en route to the airport and my mind was racing.
Were we making the right decision? We had to move out of India, but where? Here? Was this the place? This turn in the path was not something I’d ever imagined would happen.
I stared out the window. It was still dark. Just before dawn. I breathed a prayer for wisdom. Voiced my uncertainty.
At that moment I saw a well-lit sign on top of a tall building up ahead. Bold red letters painted on white.
“Follow Me”
My friend asked if I could fill in and teach her EFL (English as a Foreign Language) International Bible Study that met on Wednesday nights. We were living in Richmond at the time and our church had a thriving EFL program.
Noreta sent me the list of students and the lesson: an overview of Esther. I casually glanced over the names listed and noted their home countries. Korea. China. Taiwan.
On Wednesday night I met the students as they assembled for the study. We started class and I began sharing from the Book of Esther. Just a few minutes into the lesson, the door flew open. A woman wearing a head covering came striding in. With confidence and forthrightness, she declared, “I am Hoda M. I am from Egypt.”
Daughter of Hagar, my heart said.
In our first meeting, I described how a follower of Jesus sets aside time and space every day for focused communion with the Lord. This conversation on abiding continues each time we meet. We talk about the soul’s need for daily food from the Word of God. And how to come with minds and hearts open to the Truth of Scripture. About the importance of waiting and listening as we pray.
There’s a prayer written multiple times with several variations in my journals. Simple and basic. “Lord, open my eyes that I may see. Open my ears that I may hear. Open my heart to obey Your Word today.”