"Our Father who art in heaven, hallow be thy name, thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
In 2007 Our family, along with a group of student from VU went on a 10 day missions trip to El Salvador. A place I never wanted to go to. Little did I know this little country would change my life. I long for those days that we first spent in El Salvador that summer. Looking back now everything seems so simple and easy. The kids where 1 and 3 years old. JM and I knew on that trip that God had called us to partner with the people in El Salvador and we where excited. Finally after many years of seeking god's will we could see His plans beginning to unfold. Called to missions.
There is a freedom in living in complete trust to God's will.
Somehow, now 3 years later and more than a hand full of trips to El Salvador under our belts life seems heavy and a bit sad. I like to think that our family thrives on the word of God all the time. I like to think that we give our hearts in love to one another without thinking twice about it. But we don't. We are tired and frustrated at times and those times seem to creep up more than I would like. I often remind myself of God's plan for our lives. JM teaching at the University level and me working with RD, taking care of the kids and building community with college students and women. Building Community! Our whole family loves building community. How the enemy would love to not have all this happen, I know all too well. We have endured our share of hard times and even being hit in the head a few times by unexpected people.
I am thankful for the arms of love that surround me personally. I have been reminded today of walking into God's arms of love in many ways. Thank you friends for walking in God's spirit. I have received text messages, and been physically held by a friend. I am not a "soft" (emotional) person, as JM would put it. And so when I break I break pretty hard. Allowing my solitude with God to mend my heart, as it has so many times before. But this weekend God showed me the love of the community we have been building. To love one another as He has loved us. I rejoice in being able to see his love through his people. What a glory it truly is.
This painting that was given to me July 5, 2007, was a special gift from JM. It reminds me of JM's love for me. He bought it from our friend Jenny McGee. JM somehow kept it from me all the way from El Salvador. I was told our other friend had bought it. Then JM was able to get it framed and on our mantel without me ever knowing about it. I was blown away by his heart, just the thought that he was thinking of me the whole time and the joy he knew I would have every time I get to look at it. It hangs over our fireplace and it stands alone. It has an expensive custom frame on it with protective archival glass and material. JM told me that when he took it to our favorite framer she told him that the painting was not worthy to be put in such material. How wrong she was! But it also reminded me of how unworthy we are of Christ's blood for us. There is truth in His shadow. There is salvation.
So even though I feel like crap today I will rejoice in my life as God has created me for a purpose. He has given me a great family that honors Him and a community that reaches out to each other in love. I am grateful!
May the Glory of God our Father who is in heaven be with us today and forever more!
Amen and Amen!!!
There is a freedom in living in complete trust to God's will.
Somehow, now 3 years later and more than a hand full of trips to El Salvador under our belts life seems heavy and a bit sad. I like to think that our family thrives on the word of God all the time. I like to think that we give our hearts in love to one another without thinking twice about it. But we don't. We are tired and frustrated at times and those times seem to creep up more than I would like. I often remind myself of God's plan for our lives. JM teaching at the University level and me working with RD, taking care of the kids and building community with college students and women. Building Community! Our whole family loves building community. How the enemy would love to not have all this happen, I know all too well. We have endured our share of hard times and even being hit in the head a few times by unexpected people.
I am thankful for the arms of love that surround me personally. I have been reminded today of walking into God's arms of love in many ways. Thank you friends for walking in God's spirit. I have received text messages, and been physically held by a friend. I am not a "soft" (emotional) person, as JM would put it. And so when I break I break pretty hard. Allowing my solitude with God to mend my heart, as it has so many times before. But this weekend God showed me the love of the community we have been building. To love one another as He has loved us. I rejoice in being able to see his love through his people. What a glory it truly is.
This painting that was given to me July 5, 2007, was a special gift from JM. It reminds me of JM's love for me. He bought it from our friend Jenny McGee. JM somehow kept it from me all the way from El Salvador. I was told our other friend had bought it. Then JM was able to get it framed and on our mantel without me ever knowing about it. I was blown away by his heart, just the thought that he was thinking of me the whole time and the joy he knew I would have every time I get to look at it. It hangs over our fireplace and it stands alone. It has an expensive custom frame on it with protective archival glass and material. JM told me that when he took it to our favorite framer she told him that the painting was not worthy to be put in such material. How wrong she was! But it also reminded me of how unworthy we are of Christ's blood for us. There is truth in His shadow. There is salvation.
So even though I feel like crap today I will rejoice in my life as God has created me for a purpose. He has given me a great family that honors Him and a community that reaches out to each other in love. I am grateful!
May the Glory of God our Father who is in heaven be with us today and forever more!
Amen and Amen!!!
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