We generally meet at Starbucks to write since they have free Wi-Fi and the fact that it’s easy access to our lifelong addiction! There’s never less than 5 of us meeting so by the time we get our orders in and unfold our laptops, Bibles and books we’re about 30 minutes into the session before we’ve even creatively addressed a topic. Coffees and lattes in hand, we open up with light conversation to catch up on how our day has unfolded. By now, we’ve jumped full force into a topic, scripture and the logistics of our new post. And then BOOM! Things. Come. To. A {SCREECHING HALT}.

found on biblestudytools.com

I have my head down as the transcriber, pecking away 90 to nothing trying to quickly capture every idea, every quote and every amazing personal insight as we collaborate to get something newly published. When the chatter stops, I naturally gaze up to see if the well has run dry or if their heads are dropped in their Bible or iPad. On this particular day, things were different. I look up and see frightened faces, scowled brows and an inkling of concern. But why? We were just cutting up and laughing about Tonia holding a wall-sit to strengthen her glutes during the session. I sat quietly. I observed intently to read the vibes off my sisters. As I scan the room, I realize a gentleman who appears to be of Middle Eastern decent, had boldly pulled up a chair super close to our cluttered circle. So close that we’re sharing an outlet to charge our electronics. Now before you say, oh wow, you’re being judgmental–you Christians always have to pull the race card. NOPE, not hardly. For heaven’s sake, we are a half-and-half descent. Irish + Island Pacific = Mixed Race here. Before you form an opinion or stop reading, you gotta hear us out….with our national crisis at hand and the fact that Christians are being targeted by ISIS groups and many more AND the fact that we were openly and loudly discussing the Bible in front of him, we became concerned. Not because of his race, but what he gestured (or really the lack thereof) and what he was reading.

The southern hospitality in all of us made us nod at him and say hi, how are you? But he was less than interested in making small talk. In fact, he made and held eye contact, but never spoke a word or acknowledged that we greeted him into our circle. He looked at us with a glaring eye. Not just at first sight, but for over 20 minutes. Like no other glaring eye you’ve ever seen before. It was an uneasy feeling. The awkward uncomfortable uneasy feeling. You’ve felt this before. When you feel like someone is staring or acting oddly? And let’s make it clear that there were many other places to sit throughout the store and there were open chairs with open outlets too. Yet he chose to literally scoot into our personal space. He was reading the Taliban News online. You know when you just get that gut feeling that something isn’t right? Well, that was one of those moments. And everyone of us had it. All four of us, including our two nieces. In the dismayed moment, we all silently prayed for peace to prevail. For divine intervention. For faith to overcome the fearful, paralyzing moment in time. Have you felt this before? Maybe not about someone, but about something? The chaotic thoughts and the fight or flight response took over. We were texting each other in this circle wanting to leave! I remember looking for the exit doors for my quick escape. Now, you must remember, several shootings had occurred just weeks before this. It makes you feel more alert about your surroundings. As we regained control of our chaotic thoughts, faith ignited in us! We quickly agreed that this could be divine intervention for this man. He was listening to us. We used that moment to lift God up and share Jesus with this stranger as opposed to letting him put our light out.

Isaiah 41:10 reads Fear though not for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God gave us the whole armor of God to squarely stand and charge the enemy, NOT to stand and run! We have not been designed to retreat or rely on our own strength, yet put our faith and trust in God and stand up for truth to push back darkness. Now let’s put this into perspective. What are you afraid of? Is it rejection? Financial burdens? People around you? Health issues, loss…death? Whatever it is, know God is stronger and bigger than your biggest fear. For too long, we’ve bought into fear. Fear paralyzes our faith. It literally smothers our faith. And guess who you’re giving an open door to—that’s right. The devil himself. Do you know who you belong to? How can we be afraid when the God of this majestic universe holds us in His hands? If ever there was a time to walk in the fullness of His destiny for us, it’s now. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Be bold! When faced with fear, force yourself to stop and regain focus. Have that conscious awareness when things start spinning around you. Know that you have a choice to stay and fight or make a run for it. Before we left the coffeehouse, Kendra boldly squared up to the man and said, “Sir, is there anything we can help you pray about today?” And he replied, “Ughhh, ugh, no. No.” One tiny seed planted may be a game changer for someone somewhere so never be ashamed or afraid when God’s hands are in it!

Be Blessed in His Name,

4 Sisters Blogging