On our Wednesday night Church services, we have been learning about encounters with God. He has shown me this weekend about an encounter I had and I didn’t even realize it. I wasn’t looking for anything but He was there. Encountering God is being in His presence and allowing Him to speak to you. Did you know, God is always the first one to move in His relationship with us? Humility is a starting place for us to draw near to God. He asks that we turn our “Idols” to “Altars” where we can allow the Holy Spirit to encounter the areas of our weakness. God gives us abundant grace. It allows our weaknesses to not hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. This emphasizes that God receive the glory in all we do.
How can encounters come?
This encounter came in a song. Not just any song, a Spanish song. My primary language is English and I took Spanish in High School for 2 years. That was over 20 years ago now. Over the years, I did practice speaking in Spanish many ways which made it stick. My parents bought some Spanish songs for us as children. I took Spanish freshman year and failed. They tried again sophomore year with a different teacher. I received an A. At the retreat, I had a song come to my mind as I was about to do crafts. I saw marker and paint colors and there it was, “De Colores.” This song was on my mind as I finished my 7 rocks I was painting and allowing them to dry.
My Spanish practice…
One way that I had Spanish in my life is a silly DVD with Spanish to English. I believe that my mom bought this for my brother with special needs. A song sang, “Me gusta la playa, I like the beach.” That one stuck out to me. This is funny because sand is not my favorite as an adult. We had some in our Children’s Church, I believe that is where “De Colores” came in. Later, some songs came out that were Spanish English. I remember Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias. In high school we learned “De Colores,” “Feliz Navidad,” “The Mexican Hat Dance,” and some others. My friends dad is from Cuba and I would practice with him and their extended family. I would sometimes dream in Spanish and speak fluently in the dream. Then, I awoke and wondered what was said.
The answer…
Why do I have a random Spanish song coming to my mind? I wouldn’t get the answer just yet. In the evening, I learned of a Spanish tradition called La parranda. A knock came on our cabin door, we answered, and a group of ladies came in with a guiro instrument. There was an explanation of the tradition they were doing and the instrument they had. They asked us if we knew the We We Chu song. As they sang it, we realized we knew it. They came to me, and I requested “De Colores.” I was invited to join them as they continued. God brought me this to have fun, be a kid, and celebrate the life of my teacher. This was around 8 hours away from the song coming to mind.
A taste of childhood…
Previously, I had attended my first retreat here April 2022. This was 2 years ago. My mom returned to me my girl scout vest a month prior to the retreat. I drove up to the entrance and remembered my mom dropping me off here in girl scouts. That was a gift from God. As a child, I was a girl scout in troop 576. We would do Christmas caroling in a neighborhood behind the Church I attended at the time. The la parranda is similar to this tradition. God put all this in place… for me. What amazing love. Gifts showing me the work He was and is doing in my life. I am desired by Him and you are too.
More love I was given…
My Spanish teacher from high school passed away 12/31/2023. I saw her recently and we talked. What a gift. She had lived with MS throughout her life, and was wheelchair bound. That gave her little compassion on not completing your school work. There was a worksheet to fill out every day of the week. In class, we had to ask questions in Spanish. She even told us a story of her trip to Mexico in Spanish. I was required to join Spanish club. This was a gift I didn’t know I needed. I learned Spanish songs and dances. For a teacher in a wheelchair, it was fun to watch her teach us how to dance. She laughed with us. It was nice to see the work ethic side and the fun side to her. She was such a joy.
Good things…
As a teenager, it was hard to have the stern restrictions she gave. Not as hard as it could be. We were given the gift of a taste of culture full of joy and excitement. We had a look at many other ways of life. They brought us a Spanish singer to watch at a concert in the auditorium. Then, we performed the dances she taught us later that night. I remember the instructions in the beat she gave. Around 2, 3, 4, forward 2, 3, 4, back 2, 3, 4 forward 2, 3, 4, back 2, 3, 4. Salsa. Somewhere in there she said, “and wiggly wiggly.” This was hysterical as a teenager being told from an adult to wiggle your hips. She was showing us in her chair how to do it. Now I know she was teaching us work ethic and that fun can balance the work.
No phone for the retreat…
I had no way of looking up the lyrics without my phone. The people I asked to sing it didn’t have their phones either and forgot how it went. I could mainly remember chorus fluently. “Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mi.” As we were heading home, one of the ladies said, “I remember the song now.” We laughed. At home, I went to look up the song to practice for next time. I looked for the Spanish to English translation. I thought that it would be easier to learn if I knew what it meant in English. In the verses, it brings up verses about Christ our King and shining our light to bring more to Him. What an amazing gift He had for me.
God’s romancing me…
He is bringing me through steps in my life. He was there and speaking to me. I was given gift after gift and received them. There was a let go of work and responsibility that moved to play and enjoyment. Going back to the child I didn’t allow myself to be. Finding me and grieving what I lost. I would look to people for their approval of what I was doing. No longer do I people please. I am a God pleaser. He has been romancing me. I have received gifts in the forms of flowers, hearts, songs, people, and more. It can’t be counted. I am one person in this world. Yet, God loves all of us like this. We can see how He is touching us and giving us gifts specific to who we are in Him. He works in so many ways.
He wants me and you…
I didn’t always see how God was trying to reach me. There were many days I felt alone and unwanted. He was trying to show me His desire for me. This is what He desires of all of us, relationship. A lot of my relationships have not been strong. They have felt empty. I didn’t feel connected or desired as He is showing me. My other friend who passed away had in our Bible study, fix your vertical relationship and the horizontal relationships will work out. First, relationship with God. Second, relationship with others. The relationship He wants is us as He created us to be. Not as the world has programmed and shown us we are to be.
Ask, seek, knock…
Open your eyes and heart to see the love of God our Father in heaven. He loves you. Other song lyrics, ” I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have called you and you are mine.” (Jeremiah 31:3) His love is pure. It does not depend on you and how you act. He loves you in the ups and downs, ins and outs, and everything in between. You are His creation. He breathed life into you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I cannot even describe or show you what He has for you. He will help you find it, if you let Him. You are unique, no one in the world could take your place and the role He has in place for you. You are amazing. He made you special. I love you, too. To God be the glory! <3