A Light for Her Path
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
I approached the waiting room thinking that the client I was about to see just needed material resources, but God had a much grander purpose in mind for our meeting. I called Mandy's* name and she rose tentatively and followed me to the counseling room. As Mandy slowly lowered herself into the chair across from me, I was struck by the conflict I saw on her face. Her features seemed frozen like granite, yet the tears pooled in her dark eyes reflected deep pain.
After only a few brief questions on my part, Mandy began reciting recent events in her life. She was trying to be matter of fact, but the tears sneaking down her cheeks betrayed her attempts to be calm. Mandy said she was six months pregnant and beginning to doubt her decision to carry her baby to term. Once her pregnancy could no longer be hidden, she lost her sports scholarship and her boyfriend immediately abandoned her like a used car.
Mandy told me she recently gave her life to the Lord, but her parents, who are of a different religion, vehemently condemned and rejected her. They even changed the locks on their house and asked her to stop using their last name. Mandy's voice trembled as she recounted her feelings of helplessness and complete abandonment.
Although she did find work and an apartment, she couldn't see how she would ever continue to pay rent and prepare for a baby. Well-meaning people advised her to set her pain aside and move on, but she said, "I don't know how to do that. It's almost Christmas and I miss my family and keep hoping they'll come around." Mandy continued to weep softly and talk about how she lays awake at night worrying about the future and wondering if God is really there. She asked if God would vanish from her life too.
My heart broke as I heard her heart crying out for some assurance of God's love and a way to connect with Him. At that moment, God faithfully planted the thought in my mind, "show her how to connect with Me through My Word." Mandy allowed me to join her on the sofa and we opened the Bible together. I read out loud to her the words of Psalm 27:10, "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." Then we moved on to read through Isaiah 40 together and tears appeared again in Mandy's eyes as she said she'd already decided to name her baby Isaiah. We went on to read Romans 8 together. After each passage, she stopped me and diligently marked each page. We talked about pouring out our hearts to the Lord. I assured her that He hears and cares, that He sees every tear.
I watched in wonder as through God's Word, Mandy's entire countenance changed. It was like the sun came out from behind a dark cloud and the light of hope illuminated her face. She talked about how she will read these passages when she awakens frightened in the middle of the night. I also provided Mandy with many practical resources to ease her financial burden, but ultimately, the treasure she left with was the Word of God. God removed a burden from her heart that only He could lift. He gave her hope for the future and assurance of His presence throughout every difficulty. His Word became a lamp to Mandy's feet and a light for her path.
* Names have been changed.
