June 26, 2019

Dinner Ends ... and the Real Conversation Begins

France Blog

FRANCE — It was going on midnight. Not being much of a night owl, my tired eyes were becoming increasingly heavy. But my friend’s precise words jolted me awake.

“I think my strained relationship with my dad is preventing me from becoming a believer,” he said.

My friend is extremely private most of the time, so his honesty surprised me. But we’d been having some deeper conversations while he and his wife had been staying with my family for the week. As we hosted them, cooked for them, and babysat their daughter, they saw a glimpse of life in a Jesus-loving family.

Tonight we lingered longer around the dinner table as he and his wife poured out their hearts … and the hurts that were keeping them from Jesus.

I wanted to say something. Anything. At least to reiterate things I had said before about forgiveness and hope, about a heavenly father who longs for an unconditional relationship with us. Yet the words didn’t come.

Then my friend continued: “We trust you because you don’t force your beliefs on us. You patiently give us the time and space to ask questions. You make us feel loved and accepted.”

Even in my silence, the Holy Spirit was working.

It’s quite evident we’re not perfect, but isn’t that what discipleship is? A journey of sharing life, of loving Jesus, of bearing burdens, and of offering hope.

Please pray for our friends — for acceptance of the abundant life Jesus offers.

Crossworld worker Jordan and his family live and make disciples in France. Let Jordan know you prayed.

The people in this story are real, but their names have been changed to protect their privacy.