By Your grace, Lord, I fell in love with Spanish when I was in the seventh grade.
I had no previous experience with it. I didn’t know anyone who spoke it. I only knew I had chosen to take it in school.
Why? Because studying a foreign language was a school requirement. Only two options were given: French and Spanish. Everyone else in my class had picked French.
So I picked Spanish… and fell in love with it!
Go figure! 🙂
I fell so much “in love” with Spanish during seventh grade that I made three significant decisions that year: 1) I was going to go to college (a first in my family). 2) I was going to major in Spanish. 3) I was going to spend my junior year at the University of Madrid in Spain.
It wasn’t an easy road. I worked during my school years and every summer, saving every penny I earned so I could pay for my college education (along with a few scholarships and many loans).
As I earned the money I needed, I was also spending those eight years studying Spanish in my U.S. schools. But it was only when I came home from Spain that I was truly fluent. And I mean fluent like a native. Even “the natives” said so!
How did I know I was truly fluent? I began to dream in Spanish.
I had arrived! 🙂
I was reminded of this today when I spoke with a dear sister-in-Christ. She has been “soaking” in Your Word like never before, Lord. Soaking less in TV shows and soaking more in Your Presence. Returning to You as her First Love.
And a “funny” thing happened to her.
She had a nightmare. Not a “funny” thing by itself. It was actually pretty graphic and seemed so real. In the dream, she was sleeping on her couch. Precisely where she actually was in the natural, when she had this dream — sleeping on her couch.
In the dream, demons where everywhere — on her, in her, trying to drag her away as their prisoner. And without hesitation, she spoke (in the dream): “In the Name of Jesus, leave me alone. Go away!”
And they did! Then she woke up… unafraid.
I guess that means she’s becoming fluent in the Spirit… right, Lord?
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matthew 12:34b)
Even in our dreams!
Wow, Lord… How do we get to that place of intimacy with You? Where Your Truth becomes part of us? So much so that it is available to us in every moment of our need… whether we are awake or asleep?
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)
“Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Spanish is a great language to know, Lord. It is the third most widely spoken language on the planet.
But what could be more priceless than to be fluent in the Spirit?!
Desiring more of You,
Abba’s Girl