Susan LaffertyUnknowns pile up, left and right. Closed doors and uncertainty overwhelm. At the ends of the earth.
Amidst this confusion of crossroads. During a certain season in our lives. Fears creep in. Uninvited.
Then. In the weight of urgent prayer, a passage of Scripture whispers in my thoughts.
Rising gently. Firmly. Pressing through the questions and concerns.
A hymn of praise. Penned by Paul.
About the Sovereign One.
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.