This happened right after John, and I gave our lives to Christ. John had a wealthy client let’s call her Lexi, who invited the two of us to a Gala. She worked with John for over a year, but I never met her.
When we were invited to this charity event, I had never been to anything like this before. I was worried I wouldn’t be dressed appropriately, and I didn’t want to feel even more insecure or uncomfortable so I asked him to specify what we should wear. He came home from work and said Lexi said to just dress nice and cute, it wasn’t a big deal.
I thought that was odd and very general. I felt a prompting of the Holy Spirit leading me to google what people wear to a gala charity event. Just what I thought. People were wearing full-length ball gowns, dressed to the nines.
When John returned from work the next day, I said I refused to RSVP if I wasn’t dressed appropriately and told him we need to get a great dress and suit pronto. He grudgingly complied, thinking I was being ‘too extra’, but when we arrived at the event, he was relieved he listened.
Lexi, our host had rented a room at the hotel where the gala was. She called us up to her room, wanting to meet me. As soon as she opened the door, she had a look of utter shock on her face. She seemed stunned to see me just as prepared as she was.
I knew the Holy Spirit had warned me that I was walking into a trap, but I completely stepped over it.
Later, we went down to the ballroom for the event and I was seated next to a female stranger, making small talk. Small talk is fine for me but not if someone is giving off the vibe “Impress me”, which was what was going on. I had recently quit dancing, was unsure what I was doing with my life and just finished penning my vulnerable testimony.
When I mentioned I was a self-published author, she asked about the sales of my book. This spiraled me in shame. Not only was my story an uncomfortable share for a party, but I think I sold about 12 copies so there was that.
We were deep into the night when I realized, I had not caught this woman’s name so I asked. She said her name was Mara.
“Ah! Your Jewish! I was excited to make a little connection as I love the Jewish culture and had chosen a Jewish middle name.
“I just learned Mara means bitter in Hebrew.” I blurted this out in ignorance but then realized by her expression that somehow, my words were taken as a grave insult.
From that point on, the woman was very nice to me. I realized that the Lord even used my ignorance to defend me, without me having to do much.
I’m sharing this funny little story because it happened when I was a new Believer and I was practicing the Presence of God, inviting Him consciously into every one of my daily circumstances. At this time, I was mentally spent and spiritually fragile. But God was with truly with me. And I felt it.
It made me think of:
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” Isaiah 42:3
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-31