The conversation lasted over half an hour, but that statement opened a door to speak of Jesus. I explained that I can only imagine but Jesus knows each and every one of us, our struggles, our hopes, our past, our future. He is truly able to empathize because He walked on this earth; he faced the temptation, pain, suffering, and injustice that we all face today in our different lives. This gospel conversation led Fawn to share her own faith with me. She quoted Philippians 4:13 and said Ephesians is her favorite book in the Bible. She told me there was a pastor that used to walk around downtown and that he once gave her a study Bible that she was actually able to understand. She told me of her desire for another one like that since her backpack was stolen with the Bible in it. She said that even though she doesn’t have a copy of the Word, she still prays in the morning. This is what broke me: Fawn proceeded to explain to me that when she wakes up in the morning if she doesn’t immediately have a sip of whiskey she will seize. She said, “Some of my friends on the street go up to people and say things like, ‘Hey, man, my sister is pregnant and I need money because blah, blah, blah,’ but I’ll just tell them straight up, ‘I need money for alcohol because if I don’t have any in the next hour I will get physically and uncontrollably sick’.” She continued, “But every morning before I take a sip, we pray.” Wow. At this point, I can’t hold back the tears. I asked if we could all pray together. I prayed first and Fawn closed. Powerful. Mind you, we’re still in Well Pared, there are customers still coming through the doors, people surrounding us giving us strange looks – talk about a clash of worlds.
I believe God is going to give Fawn and Clara the strength the overcome addiction and draw them closer to Himself. And even if, even if He doesn’t or if even if I don’t get to see the fruit of that redemption on this side of heaven, I trust He used that interaction to do something radical in each of our hearts. We walked out of the restaurant and Fawn said, “You’re our angel girl today. Thank you.” After the interaction, Tylee told me she has seen those two girls walking in the area often and that she has set aside bowls of soup for them, but by the time she gets done attending to the rush of customers, they have left the area. Wow. Praise God for His perfect timing. I pray I get the opportunity to get another study Bible into her hands. I’m expectant of transformation, not because of who they are or who I am but because of who He is. He is alive and He is on the move!