Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.
Consider it pure joy...when you face trials of various kinds...
"...trials of various kinds"- this phrase has left me thoughtful tonight as I begin to write and share some thoughts.
How appropriate that this verse is worded in such a way, leaving opportunity for whatever you may fill in the under the category of "trials of various kinds".
Weariness, poverty, pessimism, hopelessness, anger, thoughts....
Last weekend something happened, minor and seemingly insignificant, yet unique; it remains on my mind.
This past Saturday, Dorothy, Anita (my host sister) and I went to a Hungarian town here in Romania, called Odorhe. It was really a nice town, and we began our outing by going to a shop where Dorothy has previously purchased beautiful, hand-made, traditional Hungarian clothes. It was a small store, and the daughter was there, in charge of the shop. Anita speaks fluent and very good Hungarian and was able to talk with the girl for a while. She was quite shy, but very sweet.
We then went to walk around the city and see what other shops were awaiting our browsing! While walking, a young boy of maybe 8 years began to follow us and talk with us. He was a beggar. You could tell by his face, his clothes and his manner that he was very poor. This boy spoke in Hungarian, and thus neither Dorothy nor I could understand a word he was saying. He was very persistent and aggressive and his words were laced with frustration and a demanding tone. He wanted money, and he knew we had it. He continued to follow us as we went into a store. As we were walking up the steps, myself being last, he got in front of me and stuck his arms out length-wise, bracing himself to block me from entering the store. As I went to gently move his arm- he turned around and hit me! I was so shocked at this and taken aback. I myself was frustrated that I could not talk with him. But we walked in the store, and that was the last of him.
Later, I asked Anita what he was saying to us. She said that he was mad that we were ignoring him, and he knew that we had money, and thus wanted us to give him some.
To be honest, the first thing on my mind after he hit me was not "poor little boy", but "how dare he.." yet as we were walking around inside the store, my mind wandered to wondering. A boy at that age, hitting strangers, where did he learn that? It is nearly certain that he sees that type of behavior at home, or even gets beat himself. They beg for money and must bring home all that they receive in order to give it to their parents, who then most likely spend it on alcohol or other harmful substances. I could imagine this little boy, 8 years old, going home with empty pockets, and being beaten for his failure of not bringing back money.
Now that, that changed my perspective... and my attitude.
Instead of feeling mad, I began to feel deep compassion and sadness for such a life. A life void of childhood innocence, instead of playing on the street- he is begging on the street... a life void of nurturing love, a life void of happiness and joy. I wish I would have been able to talk with him, and first ask him what he needed money for- if he would say food, then I would buy him food. I have made this my resolve to do, if I am approached again while here. But now all I can do is pray for this little boy. And pray that maybe some other person will take time to listen or reach out to him.
So as I face these various trials, trials of a communal poverty, of elderly pessimism, or of hopelessness, I find so much strength in the knowledge that although I am not capable of meeting all these needs and changing hearts, I know who is capable. The end of Romans 12 says to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good....
Although this was seemingly not "my trial" it was my trial. It was difficult to respond first, in the midst of the moment, with love and compassion. Yet it taught me to take time to understand and to listen...and it tested my faith in coming to the Lord with this concern and heart-felt compassion and sorrow for the little boy. During my time here, there are certainly moments when it is hard to love mercy, do justice, to walk humbly, and to "never be lacking in zeal, but keeping spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Please pray, as I have two months left, that I will continue to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord, especially through these trials of various kinds! Please pray for this little beggar boy, and the others that I will encounter during my time here. Please pray that His glory and His love would evident in my life, every day and that I would continue to be humbled in loving others, considering it all a joy! :)
"...trials of various kinds"- this phrase has left me thoughtful tonight as I begin to write and share some thoughts.
How appropriate that this verse is worded in such a way, leaving opportunity for whatever you may fill in the under the category of "trials of various kinds".
Weariness, poverty, pessimism, hopelessness, anger, thoughts....
Last weekend something happened, minor and seemingly insignificant, yet unique; it remains on my mind.
This past Saturday, Dorothy, Anita (my host sister) and I went to a Hungarian town here in Romania, called Odorhe. It was really a nice town, and we began our outing by going to a shop where Dorothy has previously purchased beautiful, hand-made, traditional Hungarian clothes. It was a small store, and the daughter was there, in charge of the shop. Anita speaks fluent and very good Hungarian and was able to talk with the girl for a while. She was quite shy, but very sweet.
We then went to walk around the city and see what other shops were awaiting our browsing! While walking, a young boy of maybe 8 years began to follow us and talk with us. He was a beggar. You could tell by his face, his clothes and his manner that he was very poor. This boy spoke in Hungarian, and thus neither Dorothy nor I could understand a word he was saying. He was very persistent and aggressive and his words were laced with frustration and a demanding tone. He wanted money, and he knew we had it. He continued to follow us as we went into a store. As we were walking up the steps, myself being last, he got in front of me and stuck his arms out length-wise, bracing himself to block me from entering the store. As I went to gently move his arm- he turned around and hit me! I was so shocked at this and taken aback. I myself was frustrated that I could not talk with him. But we walked in the store, and that was the last of him.
Later, I asked Anita what he was saying to us. She said that he was mad that we were ignoring him, and he knew that we had money, and thus wanted us to give him some.
To be honest, the first thing on my mind after he hit me was not "poor little boy", but "how dare he.." yet as we were walking around inside the store, my mind wandered to wondering. A boy at that age, hitting strangers, where did he learn that? It is nearly certain that he sees that type of behavior at home, or even gets beat himself. They beg for money and must bring home all that they receive in order to give it to their parents, who then most likely spend it on alcohol or other harmful substances. I could imagine this little boy, 8 years old, going home with empty pockets, and being beaten for his failure of not bringing back money.
Now that, that changed my perspective... and my attitude.
Instead of feeling mad, I began to feel deep compassion and sadness for such a life. A life void of childhood innocence, instead of playing on the street- he is begging on the street... a life void of nurturing love, a life void of happiness and joy. I wish I would have been able to talk with him, and first ask him what he needed money for- if he would say food, then I would buy him food. I have made this my resolve to do, if I am approached again while here. But now all I can do is pray for this little boy. And pray that maybe some other person will take time to listen or reach out to him.
So as I face these various trials, trials of a communal poverty, of elderly pessimism, or of hopelessness, I find so much strength in the knowledge that although I am not capable of meeting all these needs and changing hearts, I know who is capable. The end of Romans 12 says to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good....
Although this was seemingly not "my trial" it was my trial. It was difficult to respond first, in the midst of the moment, with love and compassion. Yet it taught me to take time to understand and to listen...and it tested my faith in coming to the Lord with this concern and heart-felt compassion and sorrow for the little boy. During my time here, there are certainly moments when it is hard to love mercy, do justice, to walk humbly, and to "never be lacking in zeal, but keeping spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Please pray, as I have two months left, that I will continue to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord, especially through these trials of various kinds! Please pray for this little beggar boy, and the others that I will encounter during my time here. Please pray that His glory and His love would evident in my life, every day and that I would continue to be humbled in loving others, considering it all a joy! :)
The rest of the day however was very enjoyable. From Odorhe we went to Korand, another Hungarian village, which is known for its pottery. Anita and I had a great time, sauntering for nearly 3 hours in all the road-side stores! It was quite chilly, and near the end of our shopping, we were ready to meet Dorothy at the shop where she purchases pottery to sell at the International Cafe. When we arrived, the store owner greeted us with an invitation to tea and gagos (fried doughnuts). Her store was absolutely exquisite, and she had the nicest pieces I had seen the whole day. She was also quite the business woman- she treats customers like kings and queens!! But it was so nice.. I will always remember her saying in Hungarian to Dorothy- "Hum Hum Dorothy"- meaning "eat, eat"!!! haha, and she kept saying to me in English- you lookie boy here! :p!!!
It was a great outing, and really enjoyable. Anita and I have become even closer friends over the past days, and I am so deeply thankful to the Lord for this budding friendship! She has become a confidant and listener of some of my more private and sensitive thoughts and feelings. And it has been such a joy to have someone to share those things with here, to share in honesty and love with the bond of Christ uniting us! Most certainly praise to the Lord for this time here with Anita and her friendship which has been sharpening and edifying!
The exquisite pottery shop in Korand.
It was a great outing, and really enjoyable. Anita and I have become even closer friends over the past days, and I am so deeply thankful to the Lord for this budding friendship! She has become a confidant and listener of some of my more private and sensitive thoughts and feelings. And it has been such a joy to have someone to share those things with here, to share in honesty and love with the bond of Christ uniting us! Most certainly praise to the Lord for this time here with Anita and her friendship which has been sharpening and edifying!
The exquisite pottery shop in Korand.
This owner on the right, and her daughter on the left :)
3 comments:
what a precious lesson from the Lord you learned. I am thankful that your heart was soft enough to be taught by the Holy spirit. Praising God for this experience you will never forget!
Lauren,
Your experiences in Romania are those of a wide range. In a way, I felt like I was there with you. What a sight that young boy must've been. My heart aches for children like that (and, sweetie I wasn't even there). What joy found in the lesson that the Lord taught you through that experience. Rejoice in Him for this too, even though it may seem so small!
I love you and continue to pray for you!
HI Lauren! Its so good to hear about your experiences in Romania! I'm so glad that you are enjoying your time, learning and growing in the Lord! Continue to soak it all in sista!
LOVE YOU!!!!
~Erica
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