Sophia Adams stood quietly at the back of the mission house, a plate of warm food in her hands. She watched as a young man, barely in his twenties, devoured the meal she’d handed him moments earlier. His tattered clothes and sunken eyes told the story of a life riddled with pain. Yet, as he looked up and met her gaze, his lips curved into a grateful smile. That smile filled Sophia's heart in a way little else ever could.It wasn’t always easy for Sophia to find her place in the world. The daughter of missionaries, her early years had been spent in Pakistan. For twelve years, her life was a vibrant mix of bustling markets, dusty streets, and countless stories of redemption. Her parents, John and Lydia Adams, had poured their hearts into sharing the gospel in a region where their faith was not always welcome. Sophia had vivid memories of sitting beside her father, listening to him teach God’s Word to eager villagers. She also remembered the danger.
By the time Sophia was ten, the persecution became too severe to ignore. Friends and church members disappeared, and whispered threats grew louder. Her parents prayed fervently, seeking the Lord's direction. One night, after weeks of uncertainty, John and Lydia felt God’s answer: "It’s time to go." Reluctantly, the family packed their lives into a few suitcases and returned to the United States.The church that had sponsored their mission work welcomed them with open arms, helping them get reestablished. But for 12-year-old Sophia, life in America felt foreign. The language wasn’t a challenge—her parents had always spoken English at home—but everything else was. From the culture to the fast-paced way of life, Sophia felt out of place. At school, she was teased for her old-fashioned clothes and lack of familiarity with American trends. Her heart ached for the life she had left behind in Pakistan.
At 15, her parents took her to visit a downtown mission house. As they walked through the doors, the smell of soup filled the air, and the hum of conversation surrounded them. Sophia saw faces etched with weariness and despair—faces that reminded her of the villagers she had grown up with. Something stirred in her heart that day. With her parents’ blessing, Sophia began volunteering at the mission house every weekend. She served meals, folded laundry, and spent hours listening to people share their stories. For the first time since returning to America, Sophia felt at home.
As the years passed, her passion for serving others only grew. By the time she turned 18, Sophia knew what she wanted to do with her life. While her peers pursued careers, wealth, and status, Sophia made a different choice. She enrolled in a Bible college to deepen her understanding of Scripture and continued her work at the mission house. She didn’t care about a big house or fancy vacations; her greatest joy came from loving the “least of these” in Jesus’ name.
Now, at 40, Sophia stood in that same mission house, still as devoted as ever. She had no family of her own—at least not in the traditional sense. The people she served were her family. Over the years, she had seen countless lives transformed by the love of Christ, and she knew there was no greater calling than the one God had given her.Sophia often thought about eternity. Her heart longed for the day she would stand before Jesus and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” She didn’t fear death; she welcomed it as the doorway to her true home. Until that day came, Sophia was determined to pour out her life for the sake of others.
As she handed another plate of food to a weary soul, Sophia silently thanked the Lord for leading her on this journey. From the dusty streets of Pakistan to the bustling city streets of America, He had been faithful. Her life hadn’t been easy, but it had been full—full of purpose, full of joy, and full of His love.
Psalm 39:4–5 (NLT) "LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath."
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
