I Was Just Following P'Sara

I've been going back and forth about sharing what happened last night. It has been on my mind all day.

Yesterday, Saturday, was just like all of the other Saturdays. Until it wasn't. We had Bible story and games at the center. It was my bi-monthly crossfit work out day aka swim day. Everything was going along as usual.

Evening rolled around and it was time for Bible Study with "the girls" (the older 18-21 yr old girls from the center). My co-laborers had a maternity class and weren't able to make it to Bible study. So, the girls and I went to a coffee shop/restaurant down the street.  We talked about the things God has been speaking to us about and the things that we need prayer for.

I confessed that I had be feeling like I'm not good enough to be here or to do the things that I know God is asking me to do. I asked them to pray that I would be confident in why God has me in Thailand and that my faith would be stronger.

The girls took turns sharing. One wants to know more about the Holy Spirit, to improve her english, and to do well as a leader at the center. Another asked for prayer to be brave for the kids that look up to her. To be a good example for them. She is also in the process of getting her Thai ID card. She wants the process to go smoothly and hopes she doesn't have to pay off corrupt gov't officials to get it in a timely manner. The other wants to be an english major and have her own business one day. She shared that the students that have a lot of money or have family members that already own a business are more likely to own a business.

I stopped her and told her something I'm not sure has been told before. The tears led me to believe she needed to hear these words. "God is your Father. He has more than enough to provide for you. He will never run out of money. If He has put it in your heart to own a business He will make it happen. Don't let anything stop you from pursuing that dream. You are God's daughter."

I expressed to the girls that God is the king of kings. The lord of lords. And that makes us princesses. It is important for us to remember who we are. If we know who we are we can do the things that God wants us to do. If we know who we are we won't let lies deter us.

We prayed for each other and ended our dinner with encouraged hearts. It was about 8:30 pm or so by this time. We decided to go to Walking Street market. We got there, walked around and bought a few things, had some good laughs then headed home.

The girls stay at my house every Saturday. We were about 5 mins from my house when it happened. A truck hit a motorcycle with two exchange students on it. We missed it by less than a minute. Traffic came to an abrupt stop. I see a woman on the ground and her friend next to her. Nobody was helping them. I jumped off my bike and ran to them. There was food strewn all across the three lane road.

I get to the woman and see that her foot was cut to the bone. I was looking around for something to stop the bleeding. I contemplated ripping my shirt off but quickly vetoed that idea lol. Next thing I know one of my girls was standing next to me and handed me her sweater. I quickly wrapped the sweater around the woman's foot to try to keep her from losing any more blood.

The injured woman could only speak Chinese. Her friend could speak Thai and Chinese. My student was helping to communicate with them and the EMT that arrived a few minutes after we did. (I'm so proud of her!) We stayed until they got the woman in an ambulance. It was a bit of a whirlwind. One of those instances when you act first think later.

We made back to my house safely but heavy hearted. We started to process what we saw and what we did. We prayed for the girls on the bike and for the man that hit them.

Then, in Thai, the student that was helping me with the woman, says, "I was just following P'Sara. She ran to help her and I went with her."

That was so eye opening for me. I was just doing something most anyone else would have done. I didn't stop to think about who would be watching me or following me. I just responded.

That's what has been on my mind today. Whether I'm helping a bleeding woman in the street or playing with the kids or figuring out life there are eyes watching me and feet following me. What I do and how I respond in any situation will influence the people around me especially my girls.

We are all people of influence and we are all subject to influence. I want to be proud (not prideful) when I hear the words "I was just following you". Last night really challenged me to make sure that I am doing all that I can to reflect Jesus. Not Sara.

If your friends or child or co-worker said "I was just following you" would you smile or cringe?