It was just your typical trip to Lakeland. That trip that everyone who lives in Hardee County makes because despite what people tell you, you just cannot get everything you need at your local Wal-Mart.
Julie, the girls and I had stopped for dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s in Bartow, hit the Sam’s Club Warehouse in Lakeland to pick up all the items we needed for Generations Café and then began heading home. And…what else do you do when driving home around 9 PM on a Saturday but turn on…WARM 94.9 Delilah. (I bet you were just singing her little jingle as you read that. It’s okay, you can admit it.)
Yes, we enjoy listening to her show. We chuckle as some folks call in to request love songs for their cats, or a young woman may call to request a song because she is celebrating her 1 week anniversary with her boyfriend and he is the love of her life. Of course we smile and hold each other’s hand when someone calls requesting the song that we danced too on our wedding day nearly 18 years ago. (It was “After All” by Cher and Peter Cetera just in case you were interested.)
Another part we love about her show is that she is very encouraging and uplifting and never afraid to talk about God and how much He means to her. That has always meant something to us seeing how her show is broadcast on a secular station. But; on this night, on our trip home from Lakeland, we had to turn up the volume and really listen to what she had to say.
A man called in to her show to request a love song for his girlfriend. As usual Delilah begins to ask a few questions attempting to find out just how much this girlfriend means to him. Long story short, this woman was still married and apparently her marriage wasn’t going great and she was having trouble with her husband. Somehow she met this caller and he wants to be there for her and love her as she is going through this difficult time. He continues for a few moments explaining to Delilah how their love was meant to be, that he’s never been in love with someone as much as he is with her. Then Delilah stopped him and asked him a simple question?
She said…”Don’t you know that what you are doing is wrong? Don’t you know you’re part of the problem? If this woman is still married to her husband then what you’re doing is wrong in the eyes of God.”
“But we were meant to be together, the man says. “It just kind of happened…I love her Delilah. I believe God has brought us together during this tough time for her.”
Delilah then says to him…”But if you think you really love her then you’ll stop the dating relationship and encourage her to work through the problems in her marriage. You’ll remind her of that commitment she made to her husband and to God and you’ll stop causing her to stumble. Do you even realize that you are making the wrong choice as well? God would never encourage you to do something that is sinful because He wants the two of you together and He won’t bless a relationship based on this kind of start. I’m sorry that I cannot play a love song for you but I will play a song for you in hopes that you make the right decision.”
The man was speechless and I have to admit, so were we! We were blown away that she would really step out that far on a secular radio station and tell him how their sin is damaging their relationships with God as well as with those around them and that it is essential to stop and live right.
We were impressed by what Delilah said, but equally impressed that she did it all in a very loving, Christ-like way. It was obvious that she wasn’t saying it for the ratings, she wasn’t saying it in a way that was demeaning, she was sharing this with him because she truly cared about the choice he was making and she wanted to help him make the right one.
Julie and I both were challenged by what Delilah did that night on the radio. We were challenged to be prepared at all times to stand up for what we know God would want us to. We both want to be able to point people in the right direction by the words we say and when God opens a door to give direction to someone who needs it- we want to be able to walk through that door with some good Biblical advice. I want to challenge you as well.
Be ready at all times to speak up for Jesus.
As a Christ-Follower we know what we should be doing and what we shouldn’t. Far too often we see our friends and family put themselves in situations they shouldn’t be in. But, for fear of hurting their feelings, or because they may get upset with us we say nothing and pretend that it isn’t happening or that we don’t know it is happening. That is wrong on our part. If we love them and want what is best for them, we must speak up and share with them what they need to hear so they are able to make the right choice and get out of the sin that so easily entangles all of us.
So…if you are someone who is currently struggling to make the right choice, I urge you to consider God and do what you know is right. If you happen to be the person that has been turning the other direction pretending not to notice that slippery slope your friend is on…SPEAK UP. Don’t let them continue to walk down that wrong path and say nothing about it. If you love them you’ll speak up and even if you don’t really KNOW them (like Delilah and this caller) speak up anyway. It’s our responsibility as a child of God.
Kudos Delilah!
