Defend Her!

There she was obscuring my view as I waited to make a U-turn! Somehow I can’t look away, but why? She looks as though she can’t be any older than thirty years old with her worn skin, scorched by the hot California sun. Sweat dripping, she wipes her face with the back of her hand that is holding a cardboard sign. At second glance I realize she is older, so much older!

As I watch her from my air-conditioned car  “Defender” comes on the radio. I love that song! Listening I become hyperaware of the words! Using the microphone on my phone I speak out the name of the song so I can look up the words when I get home. Rather than spelling “Defender”, my phone typed “Defend her”. As I make a U-turn and head toward home the song continues to play. Feeling led to pray, the more I hear “Defend her!”

Continuing to pray, the Spirit of God takes hold of my heart and speaks so many things I don’t want to hear. My own thoughts about the woman on the street corner are so condemning! God’s conviction and correction grip me as I realize I sat as judge and jury, RIGHT THERE IN MY CAR! How could I sum her up so easily? The more I pray God reminds me she is somebody’s daughter!

“Those who with a word make someone out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.” Isaiah 29:21

Arriving home I decided to dive into scripture, longing to know more about how God clearly sees this woman and so many like her, how he sees me. How Jesus came to this world to save us so He could be our defender! I am so thankful for God’s word and how it gave me a kingdom perspective on the people of this world that God loves so much!

Reading more only served as a reminder that Jesus is the truth, and He has the power to fight every battle we face! He is here to fight for everyone, no matter their station in life! No matter what has been done in the past, the present, or the future! He is eternal and will always defend us if we let him!

For now, praying for God to open my heart more to see the homeless in my community in a different way. It’s also important to note, forgiveness and reconciliation are in order as well, making sure there isn’t anything that separates me from God, especially judgemental thinking! Closing in prayer, God’s comfort and peace cover my mind as I make a mental note to add the woman to my prayer list. Feeling encouraged by God to share my story with other people I know so they can do the same!  

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his dwelling. Psalm 68:5