Facing a challenge? One of the most challenging things for me on a weekly basis is church and the “meet and greet” time. You know, when the Pastor says to take a few minutes and greet those around you before sitting down. Without sight, I never know if I am shaking someone’s hand or shaking them down. My hands have landed in the most awkward places and reached for the unspeakable. People have told me they thought I was stuck up because they waved at me from across the auditorium but I never waved back. I sometimes feel the urge to begin waving when I walk in the room, just in case someone might think ill of me. The crazy thing is that I love people and am very approachable—if I could only find them!

A few nights ago I was laughing and talking with a friend about my fear that one day in church while all are sitting, I will still be standing and clueless. She then told me a tale of horror that comforted me. My friend, Mary, had been in Africa on a mission’s effort. Her team was with a tribe that required the women of ministry to wear skirts and dresses to not be offensive to their standards. Mary had been told of a former outreach that had offended the Chief’s wife because she did not close her eyes during prayer. This became Mary’s focus and she wanted to do all she could to win the hearts of her mission field.

During part of the church service they bowed for prayer as they stood. She thought she understood the speaker to say “Remain standing.” With her eyes tightly shut and not wanting to open them, she suddenly felt a large bug in her undergarments. Because all eyes were closed and heads bowed with no one looking, she proceeded to scratch her backside and fight with her intruder in her underpants. She wrestled with the varmint for several minutes until she heard something that opened her eyes suddenly. Unfortunately, the first announcement had been misunderstood by my friend. The instruction to the African audience was to sit down and listen.

It is true. Actions speak louder than words! To her shock, she had been the center of attention and the message was clear. The international woman had an itch and the message was to attack your foe. Mary’s only consolation was knowing she would never again see this group of people in the darkest part of Africa as long as she lived. Believe me, Mary; they will remember you long after you are gone!

What challenges are YOU facing today?

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!