Catch the Vision


Be Ready by Naomi Becker “Do you guys have a few minutes? I’m taking


a survey on what men do wrong in relationships. Could I interview you?”


We were sitting in a coffee shop in Roches-


ter with Stefan’s sister, Joella, just catching up. Toughts came up:


“Tis isn’t the best time.” “Well, hopefully it will be short.” “It doesn’t feel possible to say ‘no’ politely.” As he opened up his notebook, I told him that


I’m not sure what men do wrong, but I could give examples of what Stefan does right. We talk about how we wanted a committed relationship for the long term. Stefan says, “It’s kind of a dramatic ex- ample, but it takes basically dying to your desires in order to give the other person what they need.”


Our new friend asked, “Well, what happens


if what she wants isn’t what’s best for her?” Stefan explained what he thought about true love — that it’s giving the other person what’s best, not always what they want.


I spoke about learning to trust Stefan’s leader-


ship and not manipulate him into deciding to do what I want.


At some point, this guy closed his notebook and the questions kept coming. “What were you


looking for in a relationship?” I said that I followed Jesus and tried to be like him, and I had been looking for someone who valued the same. Te con- versation morphed into “turning the other cheek” and showing peace. Stefan mentioned that Jesus’ example of making peace included even going so far as to die for people who hurt him.


Te conversation wrapped up, and we decided


to get going about 30 minutes later. He leſt us with a phone number for “if you’re in


the area again.” We walked out of the coffee shop amazed that


God had given space to share his truth just by saying yes to an “inconvenience”.


Naomi Becker and her husband, Stefan, are both sec- ond-generation missionaries. Naomi grew up in Kenya and Stefan in France. Now they are looking forward to their first child (October) and are preparing to teach at Sahel Academy in Niamey, Niger in 2020. Tey currently teach in Omaha, Nebr., and are members of Crosspoint Bible Church.


24


Fellowship Focus, September/October 2019


FellowshipForward.org


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