Hostels, hassles and hope
“The combination lock isn’t working,” I said to the receptionist at the hostel.
After two flights and an hour drive outside of Flagstaff, I arrived to my hostel and I really wanted to drop my bags and get to the Grand Canyon. Plus, I really had to pee. The hostel thankfully let me check-in early, but no one was there when I arrived. Trying my very best not to be impatient (and not pee my pants), I asked the lady on the phone, “Is there another code I could try?” A few minutes later, the receptionist arrived and let me in. I thanked her, raced to the bathroom, and picked my bed. I packed my Cotopaxi backpack for a hike and started for the door.
“My name’s Marie,” a mid-60s, gray-haired, bright-eyed lady said from the kitchen table. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Lauren,” I replied. “Nice to meet you. I’m going to the Grand Canyon. See you later!” And I was out the door. When I arrived back to the hostel that night, I was exhausted, but Marie was a chatty-Cathy. We talked a bit, but then I headed to bed. In the morning, I heard Marie talking to the other people at the hostel. I noticed that she complained a lot. In addition, she turned on piano music (a little too loudly for 6 a.m.) and said it reminded her of her mom. “Is she still alive?” I asked. “No,” she said. “But she lived until she was 90.” Having lost my dad, I could understand the nostalgia of things like piano music that remind you of your loved one. But for some reason, this woman annoyed me so I avoided her much of the weekend. I’d get home from the Grand Canyon, shower, and fall asleep quickly each night. We exchanged a few remarks, but I kept them short on purpose.
This morning as I showered, I asked God why this lady bugged me so much. Then, I felt this loving conviction back at me — why was I judging her? What in me was causing me to judge her? Did I know her whole story? Then I felt like God told me that she’s lonely. “I’m sorry, God,” I prayed. “Please forgive me and soften my heart. Show me how to love her.”
I decided to eat breakfast at the table with her and heard a bit more of her story. She had been bouncing between random jobs for the past eight years and was technically homeless. She lost her husband in 2001 and when she told me that, she began to cry. “It feels lonely sometimes,” she said. Suddenly, I was filled with compassion. “I’m about to head out for my flight, but can I pray for you?” I asked. “Yes,” she said. I said a quick prayer and asked the Holy Spirit to fill her with hope and peace. When she opened her eyes, I could tell she was filled with hope and there was a glimmer in her eye. She began to speak of future plans, future ideas, a new hope. Words flowed as she spilled about how grateful she was to be staying at the hostel with all of us and how unique and special each person there was. I’m telling you, her entire demeanor changed. God breathed life back into her. In an instant. This once-discouraged woman was now encouraged, ready to move forward into her next adventure. I gave her a hug, grabbed my bags and headed out the door.
As I drove away, I was so humbled. God helped me see beyond the surface into this woman’s heart and He met her there that morning. Had I not asked the Holy Spirit to fill me with love instead of judgment, I would never have had the opportunity to see God move in such a simple, yet powerful way.
We can’t do this life without the Holy Spirit. He leads, guides, comforts, encourages, strengthens and helps us love. When we pray for others, we invite more of His presence into a situation, into a person’s heart and mind, and miracles truly happen. There is nothing like it. And all we have to do is ask. The Bible says, “Do you know of any father who would give his son a snake on a plate when he asked for a serving of fish? Of course not! Do you know of any father who would give his daughter a spider when she had asked for an egg? Of course not! If imperfect parents know how to lovingly take care of their children and give them what they need, how much more will the perfect heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit’s fullness when his children ask him” (Luke 11:11–13, TPT). When we invite the Holy Spirit into our prayers, situations, and relationships, He will come and He will move. As we get to know Him like we would get to know a friend, we begin to let him take the lead and guide us to people He wants to encourage, strengthen, and comfort. There is truly nothing like it. When you see Him move, it makes you love Him even more and more. And the coolest thing is that He’s always with us, even when we don’t realize it. We’re never alone.
I’m thankful God gave me the opportunity to see Marie’s heart and I’m thankful for his kindness and forgiveness as I continue to walk this faith journey out with Him. It’s such an adventure — not of perfection — but of risk and joy and learning and a lot of mistakes. But as I draw closer and closer to His heart, I fall in love more and more and I am filled with gratitude for this thing called life.
So give it a shot today. Trust me. Ask the Holy Spirit who He may be leading you to, invite Him into your prayers, and watch what happens. It’ll set your heart on fire.
Joyfully,
Lauren
