A Love Push

A sandy lot with a slide, a merry go round, a set of monkey bars, and some squeaky swings. Children smiling, shouting, running, and repeating themselves over and over. Piggy backs, funny faces, and photos. This was a common scene for us this month as we spent time investing in the local kids. 

One day as I was pushing a couple of kids on the squeaky swing-set I was thinking to myself, “This child is old enough and capable enough to swing by herself… why am I investing so much effort in pushing her? Why am I listening to her request of ‘más fuerte’ (push harder)?” But I knew that it wasn’t really about her ability. It was about caring for her and giving her a little extra love in that time and space, and it struck me that sometimes the Lord does that for us. 

Each day I come to bridges that I can cross or tasks that I can accomplish because of the skills, blessings, and time the Lord has already given me. Yet, when I come to those bridges and those tasks, sometimes the Lord comes up behind me and gives me an extra push. He gives me fresh energy to serve with a happy heart. He gives me a colorful leaf to remind me that He sees me when I feel overwhelmed. He gives me a kind word through a friend to brighten my day. He reaches out with both hands and says “Hey girl, I know you can do this; but I just want to bless you and love on you today.”

Two times this month where I saw the Lord come behind me with an extra push, an extra blessing that was the cherry on top, were through rubber bands and a guitar.

Now, to understand where I’m coming from, you might need a little bit of background information. To start with, I really like to organize things. If you’ve seen my bedroom, you might not believe that; but generally I enjoy making order out of disorder. Second, I only have two luggage items with me on the race, and I have to be able to carry both of them at the same time. As a result, I spent a bunch of time selecting which items I would bring with me and which ones I would leave behind. In the end, one of the items I valued enough to pack was a small assortment of rubber bands (for organizing).

However, a few weeks into our time in Peru, most of the rubber bands I had packed were used for a ministry that we were investing in. Consequently, I added rubber bands to my shopping list. But low and behold, when we sat down for lunch a few days later, I noticed that our pack lunches were carefully secured and closed with rubber bands. I lost no time in letting my team know that I would gladly save their rubber bands from the garbage bin. This went on for the course of two or three lunches while we were in Peru, and my rubber band supply was replenished. 

In this, I saw the Lord giving me an extra push and a little extra love. Could I have bought rubber bands at the store – YES. Could I have done without having rubber bands at all – YES. But was I glad that they were provided in an unexpected and easy way – YOU BET I WAS.

The second way the Lord came behind me with an unexpected push was through a guitar. We were taking a van to the bus station to depart from Trujillo, and the radio was on. I don’t know if it was a thought or a prayer, but in my heart I desired to leave the county with worship music playing. Soon, behind me in the back seat, one of the young men who works with Inca Link got out his guitar and began to play one of the only Spanish worship songs that I am familiar with. A series of worship songs followed, some on guitar and some on my teammate’s phone, and a desire that I didn’t even voice was fulfilled. 

Could I have listened to Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and the Jonas Brothers on the radio and been fine – YES. Could I have put in my headphones with my own music and drowned out the radio – PROBABLY. But was I glad that we got to worship together as a group in mixed Spanish and English – YOU BET I WAS. What a beautiful (albeit small) picture of what it will look like one day when people of every tribe, tongue, and nation worship the Lord together. Through those songs the Lord showed his care for me in a way that he didn’t have to, and in a way that I didn’t need him to, but also in a way that I am so thankful for.

How cool is it that the Lord sees us and delights to bless us? Even more so that he delights to bless us in ways that are personal and near and dear to each one of our hearts! 

Are there ways that the Lord has come behind you with a push of love this month? I would love to hear how he has met you in an unexpected and encouraging way.