Letting My Words be Few ... kinda

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Once in awhile, you have little experiences that breakthrough the "normal" and give you a fresh perspective. Chris and I had one of those moments this past Thursday as we met a couple for breakfast in a new part of town. The above pictures are a glimpse of what we experienced.

Speaking of normal, I meet once a week with several language partners. That’s become routine. However, this week I met in a new place … a local place with local flair. It was a quaint café in the middle of the city untouched by tourists. That doesn’t sound like a big deal, until you notice the influx of tourists during the summer season. One can hardly move while in the inner city for all the tourists. So, this café was a welcomed routine breaker.

Interesting story that happened before the café experience … I was early, because that’s just how I am (prepared). So, I have 20 minutes to kill before I meet my language partner. I’m standing on this busy corner, McDonalds behind me and a Chic Eis Salon (Ice cream shop) across from me. There are taxis and busses coming and going and I can hear the constant grind of the metal wheels of the street cars. I’m just standing there and I glance across the street to a small park where there are a number of wooden benches. Seated on one bench was a middle aged woman (OK, probably my age!) nicely dressed and … crying.

One thing I have noticed while living in my fair city is the rarity of emotions … ok, emotions as in sadness … you see emotions of anger all the time … but sadness is never shown in public – never. So, as I stared at this woman, her pain was so tangible. My heart was so sad. I prayed for her and asked God to comfort her.

Then, the unimaginable happened: I knew God’s Spirit was asking me to go comfort the woman.

I’d like to tell you I immediately walked across the busy street and went straight to the bench and did something to alleviate her pain. I didn’t. I asked God if He was sure He wanted me to do that. After all, she was Austrian and Austrians don’t accept the advances of strangers in a favorable light. Surely He was just asking me to pray for her … to ask Him to send someone to bring comfort.

Then, God in heaven spoke to my heart on that corner, as only He can do, in front of McDonald’s and across from the Chic Eis Salon and told ME to be the one to bring comfort.

As I stepped out onto the dirty street that separated me from this crying woman, I knew God had entrusted me with a mission.

When I approached the woman, I noticed her sobs were ever so quiet. When I approached her, she didn’t shrivel back, she didn’t look at me like I was a freak … she just looked up with tears in eyes. It was like she was expecting me.

I put my hand on her expensive leather jacket and said (in German), “Do you need some help?” She shook her head no. I then told her I noticed her from across the street and prayed for her. She said nothing and stared into the air. After what seemed like a few seconds, I turned and left.

As I walked away, I glanced back and noticed she, too, put her lovely printed handkerchief inside her handbag and was walking away. She carried her pain in her shoulders … and I could do nothing … nothing but pray.

I felts so helpless, yet obedient. I have no idea why God asked me to go over to her. I was expecting some big spiritual experience. I had in my mind this woman would confess her heartache, beg me to share the good news of a new life made possible by a personal relationship with Christ, and I would walk away a hero. I’m pitiful. I’m so short-sighted … and human.

Instead, it was just a question and a hand lain ever so carefully on a shoulder. That was it.

God was good to remind me that what we see is not what He sees. I don’t know the cries of that woman’s heart … but He did.

That experience put feet to words that I’ve been pondering this week in Ecclesiastes 5:3, “After all, God is in heaven and you are here on earth. So, let your words be few.” You know me … I’m all about words. In that moment, I had none. Somehow, words would have been too much. It was about God being God and me being quiet.

So, without saying any more words, I think I’ll stop there.

Keeping the words few,
Christina