Rainbow sprinkled cupcakes. Yellow balloons. Banners with bold pink letters read, "IT'S A BABY GIRL." We gathered to celebrate a beautiful friend who will give birth to her first baby in March.
Meet Noura.
Her name means "Light." She loves music, dancing and looks like she could be Katherine-Zeta-Jones little sister. I first met her as I was teaching English. She was my student. Being only a few years difference in age and common personalities, we became fast friends. Over the past 3 months, roles have switched. She's become my teacher, my Arabic teacher, yes, but much more. She's given spontaneous make-up tips (she used to do beauty consulting); she's demonstrated how to properly move my hips to Middle Eastern wedding songs; she's cooked us favorite Syrian dishes drenched in gee and always followed by steaming chai. Most of all, she's inadvertently given me a greater, more urgent desire to love on people who may otherwise never hear about Jesus.
After we had our fill of cupcakes and punch, we gathered around to pray for her and the precious baby in her womb. The presence of the Lord was strong yet sweet. Afterward, she looked up with tears in her eyes and said, "You are like my family." She stood to hug me and sure enough- that did it. My eyes burst into a sudden downpour. Mascara streaming. Unavoidable raccoon status. Not because I was emotional (I was) but because it struck me once again, this dear friend, she does not know her true Father yet.
And I so desperately want her to know Him, His incredible Love. To know the love He has for her unborn child and the love He took in forming this baby girl in her womb. The love He had as He molded her in her own mother's womb. The love He is waiting to pour upon her soul and fill it up to overflowing.
But I'm praying and I'll keep praying- yes! And even more fervently than before, that, like her name, which means "Light," she would also step out of darkness and into His marvelous light...
Jesus, thank you so much for Noura. Bless her, keep her, reveal yourself to her in an extraordinary way. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Meet Noura.
Her name means "Light." She loves music, dancing and looks like she could be Katherine-Zeta-Jones little sister. I first met her as I was teaching English. She was my student. Being only a few years difference in age and common personalities, we became fast friends. Over the past 3 months, roles have switched. She's become my teacher, my Arabic teacher, yes, but much more. She's given spontaneous make-up tips (she used to do beauty consulting); she's demonstrated how to properly move my hips to Middle Eastern wedding songs; she's cooked us favorite Syrian dishes drenched in gee and always followed by steaming chai. Most of all, she's inadvertently given me a greater, more urgent desire to love on people who may otherwise never hear about Jesus.
After we had our fill of cupcakes and punch, we gathered around to pray for her and the precious baby in her womb. The presence of the Lord was strong yet sweet. Afterward, she looked up with tears in her eyes and said, "You are like my family." She stood to hug me and sure enough- that did it. My eyes burst into a sudden downpour. Mascara streaming. Unavoidable raccoon status. Not because I was emotional (I was) but because it struck me once again, this dear friend, she does not know her true Father yet.
And I so desperately want her to know Him, His incredible Love. To know the love He has for her unborn child and the love He took in forming this baby girl in her womb. The love He had as He molded her in her own mother's womb. The love He is waiting to pour upon her soul and fill it up to overflowing.
But I'm praying and I'll keep praying- yes! And even more fervently than before, that, like her name, which means "Light," she would also step out of darkness and into His marvelous light...
Jesus, thank you so much for Noura. Bless her, keep her, reveal yourself to her in an extraordinary way. Thank you, Lord. Amen.