It was a beautiful fall day not too long ago when I was rearranging my outdoor patio furniture to prepare for a counseling meeting I was hosting at my house. The counselor was already on the patio as well as the young girl the counseling was for.

As I was setting up the umbrella to shield from the warm sunshine, the counselor asked me if I were ready for the upcoming Presidential election. I smiled, knowing she and I viewed the election and candidates similarly and told her I was beyond ready for the new year.

The young girl, who already formulated an opinion of her own prior to us being introduced, gave me a confused look and asked, “Ms. Jacquelyn, do you like President Trump?”

Her question took me off guard as we had never discussed politics in any form or fashion during the short few months of our mentoring relationship. I simply responded, “Yes, I do” and shot a glance at the counselor for help in changing the subject. The topic was too complex to try to communicate to a young girl in a brief moment and I wasn’t prepared to have this conversation.

She quickly asked me why with inquisitive eyes and I responded without having time to think, “Well, sweetheart, I believe in fighting for the life of the unborn, and any President willing to take a stand against abortion is a President I will willingly stand behind.” I knew the Spirit had answered for me. She looked down and lowered her voice and said, “Oh. I didn’t know that.”

Thankfully, the counselor took over and I was able to go back inside while they talked amongst themselves.

After her session was over, the sweet girl made her way to the couch next to me and sat down. I saw her face was downcast, so I smiled and waited for her to take the lead. She looked at me and quietly said, “Ms. Jacquelyn, my mom had an abortion.”

I could tell this was the moment God had orchestrated to release His love and healing into a young girl’s heart over a situation I knew nothing about. Her face filled with shame and I could tell she was bothered immensely. My heart swelled with compassion as the Spirit inside me took over lovingly and encouragingly.

I spoke the words of His love and grace back to her and over her mom, and her face began to brighten and her shame melted away. Though she was not directly involved in the decision for her mother to abort a child, her heart had been burdened by her mother’s choice and it had affected the way she felt about herself.

The Lord took an extremely delicate situation and gently exposed the hurt inside His beloved little girl’s heart so that He may speak life into her brokenness. I was humbled so much by this experience and how lovingly God had arranged the details of our conversation to take place. I replayed the situation in my head over and over in awe and admiration that He would create a special conversation out of a simple question that would allow a little girl to be set free from the shame she felt inside.

I imagined what it would have been like if I responded harshly and bitterly as so many are quick to do towards others on social media and to people with opposing views. I imagined what this sweet girl would have felt if I thought this opportunity to talk about politics was an opportunity to try to influence and persuade her to believe as I do and to bash all others who felt differently.

And perhaps the most alarming—what if I took my belief in protecting the life of the unborn a step further and began condemning and judging those who have had an abortion already, including her mom?

This is why we are instructed as Christians to, “let [our] conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that [we] may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). We do not know the intentions of the Lord when we are caught off guard in a conversation we weren’t prepared for, and He may never make His intentions known to us. But, regardless of what He is doing behind the scenes, we are called to, “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2 emphasis added).

For me, I am most prepared when I feast of the Word of God and allow His love to become the fuel for my life. I find I am most patient and graceful when I spend more time reflecting on His patience and grace towards me by His Blood on the Cross.

When we are prepared to give an answer in every season with grace seasoned with truth, we create a safe place for healing, trust, and deliverance to manifest in the lives around us. We allow Christ the opportunity to take control of the process to redemption for people He died on the Cross to redeem.

I think it’s time we reflect on our own heart. Do you find your lips are prepared to create a safe space for others to heal? Or are you more prepared to defend and strike when someone challenges your faith?

My prayer for your today is that you will draw near to your Savior and allow His Spirit to lead, direct, and guide you in word, action, and truth. To Him be the Glory!

Be blessed, my friends!