A Stranger's Lesson

While on summer vacation years ago, a man gave me a key chain clip (neon orange or yellow). On it were both the manual alphabet and a note explaining that his wife was Deaf. The importance of knowing American Sign Language (ASL) was explained on the note. He longed for more people to know his wife’s language and communicate with her. My heart already desired to learn this language. What an unexpected encounter. I learned the manual alphabet on that trip. Years later I took ASL as middle school elective. In college I was blessed to study this beautiful language, but I have so much more to learn.

Recently I sat in a garden and a clip holding a birdfeeder reminded me of that childhood summer. How many others did he influence by handing them a clip and attached note? The man I met so many years ago does not know the impact his message had on my life. He doesn’t need to know. He was spurred on by love and truth. Renown was not his goal.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” Hebrews 10:24 NIV

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV

Lord, what is my focus? May it be your truth and love. Please bless the stranger who taught me, and his family, and those who also received his message. Cause me to share Your truth with love.

What if we shared the gospel that way? What if we were compelled by our love for God and truth rather than needing to be remembered?

Why is learning other languages such an important part of a Christian’s life?