I Wish her real gold
By Nella Verschuur
‘I'm not waiting for God.’ That's what her whole attitude told me. And yet I still find it meaningful that she sat next to me. That I could listen to her and pray with her. After all, who waits for God? Isn't it only His grace that makes a person willing to seek Him and serve Him? Shouldn't we then pray fervently for all those around us — that the Lord would reveal Himself to them and make them willing to seek Him?
Susan
I am speaking of Susan. She is about eighteen years old now. She has already endured so much in her young life. Abused and mistreated by her father. Abandoned by her mother. Then she lived in an orphanage for years. And all that time she continued to long for her mother, for motherly love. Until the day that longing was shattered.
A social worker came to her with the news that her mother had died several years ago. But she had never been buried. Due to a “mistake”, her body had been lying in a mortuary for years. I remember it well — how Susan cried that day! She fell asleep into my arms, still weeping.
Shortly afterwards, Susan suddenly disappeared. She ran away from the orphanage and for a year, I heard or saw nothing more of her. And then one day, she simply walked into my classroom. With a request.
She had received messages on her phone saying she would be given 30,000 rand (about $2,300). But first she had to buy something, and for that she needed some money. Could I help her get it?
Money
I understood her desire. I understood so well that she wanted this money. But the message most likely came from scammers or was part of some kind of lottery-like scheme. I tried to explain to her that this was not a good plan. But it was clear that she didn't want to believe me.
Still, with all the love in my heart, I refused to give her the money she asked for. Because I wished her much greater. Something much more wonderful. I wish her real gold. Yes, may her name be Eliphaz — ‘my God is fine gold.’
“Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver” (Job 22:25). The Dutch translation reads: Yes, the Almighty will be your abundant Gold and your powerful Silver.
Prayer
But Susan wanted money. I tried to close our conversation with prayer. While we were praying, I noticed her pick up her phone. It was clear - Susan wasn't waiting for God.
It hurt me. But even as I prayed aloud, another silent prayer rose within, that the Lord would be too strong for her and not hold these sins against her.
It is the Lord alone
Who seeks out lost sheep,
Who saves the wicked,
To the glory of His Name.
May He so do to me... to Susan... to...
