Guest post from Sara Edwards

OK, see if you follow – Jan from Atlanta was flying home from Alaska next to a complete stranger from Dallas, who had heard me speak. Dallas introduced Jan to The Neighborhood Cafe, and Jan introduced the Cafe to Sara, also from Atlanta. Now Jan and Sara are on my Launch Team where we talk about the book and share our struggles and successes loving our neighbors.

I knew you’d relate to Sara’s answers to our Launch Team discussions, which are based on the Next Best Step questions at the end of each chapter. Sara slays me with her wit and I know you’ll love her, too.


 

I have the incredible honor of participating in the Launch Team for Amy’s book, “How To Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird.”   It’s a delightful read and I enjoyed hearing Amy’s story.  However, a question in the book forced me to reflect on MY story.

“What assumptions have you made about your neighbors?”

Oh, Amy, just let me relax here on my cute red sofa and read about YOUR successes and failings, please!

Confessions of a Crazy BIble Lady

The truth is, five years ago, I was burdened to the point of distraction with the desire to reach my neighborhood with the gospel.  But I was terrified.  My fear was totally and completely based on assumptions.  It would take hours to list all of them, so let me just recount the five that immediately came to mind upon reading Amy’s question.

  1. She’s never seemed interested in spiritual things, she won’t want to come to Bible Study
  2. The ladies at the bus stop are so smart and beautiful and successful, they won’t see their need for a Savior
  3. If I become the “Bible Lady”, people will shun me and my kids won’t have any friends
  4. The party animal woman down the street….I am scared to even talk to her, let alone invite her to a BIBLE study!!
  5. People will be offended by talk of the gospel and sin

On and on the list went. But…Praise God!… the reality was completely different!

 

  1. The woman I assumed was not interested in spiritual things felt that God moved her across the country for a reason but didn’t know why and didn’t know HIM. My invitation felt like fate to her.
  2. Those bus stop ladies were each hurting in their own ways, I just hadn’t taken the time to invest in them.
  3. If people didn’t want to attend my bible study, they just said, “Sorry, not interested,” and… shocker!!!… life went on as usual!! Complete with grill outs and play dates.
  4. Ms. Party Animal said no for three years. But, she showed up unexpectedly last year and, in her total innocence, brought MIMOSAS!!  She is still searching but invites everyone she knows!  And still brings booze sometimes…
  5. And, most importantly, people love the gospel when it’s said from a heart of love, and have a sneaky suspicion that they have a sin problem.

Today, as the names and faces of so many woman who attended our Bible Study play in my mind…each one a testament to God’s gracious pursuit of His children…it’s a little odd to think that I was ever scared.    Now, my only assumptions are that God puts me in my neighbors’ lives for a reason, that He’ll equip me for that task, and that He has BIG plans for my neighborhood.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.  So DO NOT BE AFRAID to testify about our Lord.”  1 Timothy 1:7,8

 


 

Sara Edwards is a married mother of two small kids in Atlanta, Georgia.  Over the past five years, she has partnered with other Christians in her neighborhood to pray for the unbelievers in their spheres of influence. This led to four adventurous years leading a Bible Study on her street designed for women searching for Jesus.  Her passions include worship, making the gospel available to her neighbors, and showing other Christians that doing so is not nearly as scary as they think.  To hear more about Sara’s story, visit her blog,  The Yankee Peach.

1 Comment

  1. Jan Kennedy

    Finally making a comment! If you know Sara, you’ll have a hard time believing that she would be scared by anyone or anything! She’s a hoot! But she’s able to transform that “crazy Bible lady” energy into the love of Jesus in reaching people in ways that they need to be reached with the love of Jesus!

    Reply

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