Day 8: Nevrincea, Romania.
The windows were pushed wide open in the church, in the hopes someone would hear the music and come. It was the first Sunday in so many Sundays that someone was there to open the Bible and preach in the farming community forgotten by most when Communism came and dimmed the lights on hope. But today a new pastor had come, and today there was music.
He walked in quietly with his son and found a place on the small pew. Visibly shaking, he simply sat. He didn’t know why he was there, but he didn’t want to be away on this day. And so he tried to find a place for his life among the grandmothers and children.
The whispers started. “He is a drunk. You can smell the liquor.”
Strangers prayed for him. Neighbors looked away.
The doors had been opened for him to enter in. But hearts were closed. And so he and his son walked down the dirt road, away from the place where the windows were pushed wide open so all would hear and come.
His face reminds me even today to keep windows and doors and hearts wide open. Because someone is longing for a place. Even me.
Ronne – today I wrote about apathy plaguing our culture. Yes to open doors.
“The stones we must carry are: compassion, humility, generosity, gratitude, and love. When we fight with these, the battle is already won.” Yes to these words, Matt. What a great post. I want everyone to read it.
http://mattham.com/2014/10/deadlier-than-ebola/
I’ve seen this too many times and it breaks my heart wide open.
So good. I’ve been thinking of my own church lately, and how we are acting towards even those who have been part of our church for decades. Some people see us as growing because of new members, but I see us missing out on engaging those we already know. Thanks for reminding me today.
Learning to look past the outside and into the heart. Pray for God to help me see the person as He sees them. Only then can the brokenness be healed.
Wow, this gave me chills. Beautiful photo, beautiful words. Thank you for sharing your gift.