A door of utterance...

“Withal pr*ying also for us, that G*d would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Chr*st…” - Col.4:3

“I’m not a Chr*st*an…” Taozi confessed in her broken English.

But then, she added the exact word that instantly came to my mind… “yet.”

In addition to being my Chinese teacher and the music teacher, Taozi is also our librarian. Over our lunch break, I had stopped by her room/library (it neighbors mine) and inquired about an Easter book. Easter is coming up, and I want to take full advantage of sharing with my kiddos about the true roots of the “American holiday” of Easter.

If I would have been thinking ahead, I might have thought about how finding a book about Easter may lead to a conversation about J*s*s. But to be honest (and to my chagrin), I wasn’t. I wasn’t mindfully thinking about looking for an open door…I was thinking about looking for a library book. That being said, I’m so thankful that – in His grace – He provides (and leads us) through open doors whether we’re ready for them or not.

Thankfully, my simple quest to find a children’s book led in a much different direction than I might have envisioned. It opened a door for me to have a conversation with Taozi about J*s*s, the res*rrection, and what it means to be a “Chr*st*an.”

“Chr*st*an? What is “Chr*st*an?” Taozi inquired.

I explained that a Chr*st*an is someone who knows and follows J*s*s, (Ye*su). As I do with most unfamiliar terms, Taozi insisted that I write the word “Chr*st*an” down on a piece of scrap paper.

“Oh yes, I know.” She exclaimed. “Ye*su,” she nodded in understanding.

“What do you think about J*s*s?” I just couldn’t resist asking.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. My husband reads the B*bl*, but I don’t like it.”

“Why?” I hesitantly asked. “Because it is hard to understand?”

She nodded….and then inquired, “Are you a Chr*st*an?”

“Yes,” I smiled. “Yes, I am.”

This little conversation did not end in some dramatic fashion. Taozi did not find J*s*s – yet! (although she did help me find a few library books. :) But I do believe this conversation was an answered prayer. It was a door of utterance…an opportunity for me to lift up the name of my S*v*or.

It is little conversations like these that just excite my heart so much. No, they might not seem super significant, but they confirm to me that He is at work.

To be utterly honest, there are moments when I wonder what on earth I am doing…teaching 107 foreign language learners under the age of 5…and then He grants “doors of utterance” like this…and it causes me to realize that He is at work here. He is stirring hearts and drawing people to Himself. He is opening doors…and opening hearts.

And He is at work here. In my classroom…and right next door in Taozi’s heart.

(And I must confess, I am looking forward to that day when He transforms Taozi’s statement from “I’m not a Chr*st*an yet.” to “I am a Chr*st*an now.” :)

Ps. Taozi recently invited me to join her and her family on a upcoming visit to her hometown during our holiday weekend. And I’m planning to go. I know it will be a cultural experience to say the least (Her family lives out in a country village), but I know He will give grace and hopefully, more conversations like this one. :) Thank you for your continued prayers, friends.