She worked to earn money to go and be love in a place she now loves and then used the money instead to pour out love on the need she saw right in front of her.
I was astounded by her generosity and did everything I could to hold back an ugly cry until we walked away. We wished them well and headed for the car. As we walked, I looked at her in awe and as I saw her choking back her own tears, the man began playing his violin. There was no mistaking melody I heard. It was Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.
Someone please pass the tissues.
As Daniel offered his broken hallelujah through the voice of his violin, I silently offered my own. God, how can it be that you’ve brought such beauty from the ashes I created early in life? This incredible young woman has a heart that is such a reflection of Yours. She’s moved by the sound of Your voice and she’s learning to obey. Lord, take this experience and make it a seed! Plant it for Maria and Daniel and their kids, for me, for my kids… For you, reader. Lord, grow something from all of the mess of this life that brings you glory, Jesus. Multiply our broken hallelujahs.
Once we were in the car, I assured her that God would honor her generosity and that her needs would always be met by our abundant provider. I reminded myself and the kids that it isn’t our place to judge anyone’s motives or the truth of their story. Our only job is to obey when the Spirit speaks. No obedience is ever wasted. I told them the meaning of the song Daniel was playing and a little about King David’s life and the messes he made… and that he’s still known for all time as the man after God’s own heart. I feel newly encouraged after looking up the Psalms David wrote after his most scandalous sins were revealed (Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122). In case you need a reminder, David’s riveting story can be found in 2 Samuel. I encourage you to go and read it and then study the Psalms listed here.
Be encouraged, friend. No matter how broken we are— by circumstances beyond our control or by our own sin, we can always stand before God with nothing on our tongue but hallelujah. He’ll always receive us and longs to heal our brokenness. And he’ll never let us down. Give Him your pieces and trust Him to make them more beautiful than before.
I’ll leave you with this verse from the famous song that played as we walked away from such a broken situation at Target this morning:
I DID MY BEST, IT WASN’T MUCH
I COULDN’T FEEL, SO I TRIED TO TOUCH
I’VE TOLD THE TRUTH, I DIDN’T COME TO FOOL YOU
AND EVEN THOUGH IT ALL WENT WRONG
I’LL STAND BEFORE THE LORD OF SONG
WITH NOTHING ON MY TONGUE BUT HALLELUJAH
***
This article originally appeared at TiaMcNelly.com.
