Thankful Thursday

I'll be straight with you.  I've been hurt very badly during this missionary journey...by people in "the ministry".  Much worse than I ever thought imaginable.  I have spoken of it to very, very few people.  Healing has been slow and painful.  Today someone posted a post by Women Living Well Ministries.  

She very concisely pens some things that I have journaled or thought in my journey to heal that is far from over.  One thing she said that I had never quite been able to put into words was "Moving on is not...Trust or reconciliation.  It takes two to reconcile.  When no acknowledgement of the pain they have caused you comes, this leaves an open wound that only Christ can fill."  

This struck me in two ways.  First, I am not the only one this has happened to, I am not crazy, I have been deeply wounded.  And secondly, for the moment, healing means a daily battle to turn my pain over to Christ and let him fill my open wound.  

Elizabeth Elliot, who knows great pain and great healing and forgiveness, adamantly and Biblically argues in her book A Pathway Through Suffering, that this was no surprise to God and He is in control, even in allowing this hurt. 

So, how am I working towards healing.  I'm doing lots of things.  I cry sometimes.  I journal.  I read my Bible and try to sit still at Jesus's feet.  I pray.  I pray blessings on those that wounded me (more on that later).  

One of my life lines during this time has been thankfulness.  I try to be actively thankful.  All. The. Time.  Not only is this Biblical, it is now being back up by research.  Don't believe me?  Check out this TedTalk by Shawn Achor, the founder of GoodThink. 

So, today, today I am thankful for my washing machine and water for my washing machine.  When we moved here, a Mexican lady gave us a washing machine.  It was in very bad shape and I tend to work my washing machine to death anyway (there are eight of us).  But it was a great sacrifice for her and a great blessing to us.  However, by the time it was put out to pasture, I don't think it really cleaned the clothes, I just put them in and pretended it did.  When we were in the U.S. for visa paperwork at the end of 2013 one of the families that supports us, bought us a brand new washing machine!  Hand wash a few loads of clothes and you will see why I am extremely thankful for my washing machine. 

So, thank you Lord:

• For my washing machine.
• For the new little person in our house that is making more laundry.
• And for a pump, so we can wash clothes, even when there is no city water.

What are you thankful for today?

For This Child I Prayed: 1 Samuel 1:27-28

I know that every child is a gift from God, uniquely placed in our care for such a short amount of time.  However, there was a time when it seemed if my husband looked at me the right way or held my hand long enough, I could get pregnant.  It seemed mostly in our control.  Our youngest was born four years after the other four and we thought it would be wonderful for him to have brothers and sisters around his age, so we started making plans in that direction almost as soon as Sam returned from Iraq.  But God had other plans and for seven years we have prayed and waited.  Just this year I really began to think that God was clearly saying the ministry we have here in Mexico and our five children were more than enough.  I almost gave away the cloth nappies in January, but decided to wait just a few more months until my friend's baby was born and we would go visit her.  Then in February we got this almost unbelievable, surprise blessing!  After a few weeks of letting the news settle in and really become real, we are ready to announce that a new baby will be arriving later this year!

So in the grateful words of Hannah we say, " For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:" and let us not forget that as parents we should also strive as Hannah place our children back in the hands of the Lord.  1 Samuel 1:27-28

Have to say, our kiddos are really good sports!  :)

Faith and Love: Let God Handle the Rest

Do you ever read a portion of scripture and just fall in love with it, because it speaks to your heart and situation so much.  I love when God speaks to me in that way.  A week or so ago, I was directed to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 during a devotional and because I like to get the context of what is being said I read all of chapter 5 and because I was so touched and encouraged I went through my day chanting, "I am putting on the breastplate of faith and love" (1 Thes. 5:8) and I read it again the next day and I cling to being obedient to faith and love.

Faith that God would use how I love others to do His work and the product was rejoicing (1 Thes. 5:16), prayerful meditation (1 Thes. 5:17), thankfulness (1 Thes 5:18).  Then I branched out and read the whole book several times.  I listened to it as I drifted off to sleep.  I refreshed it in my mind in the morning, the beautiful book of faith and love.  The simple truth of faith and love.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 says:

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God our Father.

This is the whole theme of the book.  That we labor in love throughout our day, towards our spouses, children, friends, and neighbors, that we have faith God is using this labor of love in our lives and in theirs, that we do this because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ and the salvation he brings.  (1 Thes 1:3 and 5:8)

In the middle chapter Paul demonstrates the walk of faith and love and hope.  In the final chapter he encourages us again in this principal.

But let us who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for and helmet, the hope of salvation.  (1 Thes 5:8)

Read and be encouraged for "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."  (1 Thes 5:24)

Love people, Have faith, Praise God for your hope!

Day by Day

Thank you God that no matter what today holds I know you are with me! 

"lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  Matt 28:20

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/713#ixzz2vlXSo4Da

When Missionaries Come Home: Philippians 2:25-30

I am incorporating the recap of 2013 theme into the From the Word Wednesday this week.  I'm linking up with My Daily Walk, Walking Redeemed, and Tell His Story today.

Image courtesy of artur84

In late February of last year (2013) we said goodbye to the Norris Family and we still feel the deep loss.  As we passed our first year without them, often things were said such as, last year we spent this day with the Norris'.  Christmas was so sweet with them, more than one of my children mentioned it to me as we celebrated without them this year.  Our hearts ached as little things they left behind reminded us of the sweet friendship we enjoyed and the deep loss we feel.  Haden especially misses his friend, the sweet and amazing, Violet.  We have spent much time in prayer this last year, as we know God has great plans for them.  We just wish those plans would bring them close to us again.  

Having our good friends the Norris family leave is not the first time we have seen missionaries leave the field.  Some before they were even here a year.  The reasons are varied and numerous, missionary attrition is very high.  Often those returning from cross cultural work are met with questions and judgement.  Often they feel they have failed their church, their supporters and even God.  People back home have questions and it is hard to explain all they went through on the field and Americans in general are "optimistic" go-getters (just ask people from other cultures).  Talking about the difficulties is sometimes considered whining.

But here is a little snippet from the Bible my husband showed me recently.  I'll let the scriptures speak for themselves, but please note how Paul urges the church to receive the returning missionary, Epaphroditus. 

Philippians 2:25-30

25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Things to remember and pray about for those you love that are serving cross culturally.

1.  No matter how much they love their new/host culture, they still miss things and people that are familiar. "He longed after you all" v. 26

2.  Missionaries are often exposed to illnesses and in some areas do not have adequate health care.  Deceases such as malaria, typhoid fever, or TB just to name a few.  These things are treatable, but they take a toll mentally and physically. "For indeed he was sick nigh unto death" v. 27

And I would just like to echo those same urgings Paul gave as we consider how to welcome soldiers back.

1.  Rejoice and celebrate their journey.  v. 28  They have been on an amazing journey, they need to share it and hear about your journey with the Lord while they were away. 

2.  Enjoy them.  v. 29  You see, while the missionary had this crazy ordeal they went through, their friends and family continued on with their lives (as they should have).  It takes effort to pause and incorporate those returning back into your circle.  They may be a little different, they may need a listening, nonjudgemental ear.  Make the effort.

3.  And finally Paul urges us to "hold such in reputation".  v. 29  I don't think I have to explain that this is the opposite of judging.  I'll leave it at that.  

And don't forget to enter to win some Oaxacan Coffee.  Just CLICK HERE.  

Promise's from God's Word: Part 3 of 3

If you have read Part One and Part Two of this series, you know that I am not only talking about God's Promises, but also the idea that some promises come with a condition or an action is needed on the part of man.  Today I wanted to consider how this applies to Psalms ninety-one.

"He that dwellth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under that shadow of the Almighty."

Oh the safety and comfort of resting under the shadow of the Almighty!  But do you see it?  In order to claim the promise, in order for the promise to manifest in our lives there is something we must do.  Here's what goes on in my head when I read Psalm 91:1.

Promises From God's Word: Part 2 of 3

Getting Off the Roller Coaster

Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Last week I shared how much comfort and encouragement I find in all the wonderful promises in God's Word.  Promises such as:  

Lo, I am with you always - Matt 28:20
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee - Hebrews 13:5
The LORD shall fight for you - Exodus 14:14

And on, and on they go.  I also shared that some of these promises come with a call to action on our part...an "if-then" clause if you will.  The one that struck me recently was Psalm 91,  However, I want to start with a more obvious example from Psalm chapter one and move to Psalm 91 next week.

Promises from God's Word: Part 1 of 3

I guess when I came to the mission field, I had grand ideas of all I was going to do for God. 

 Bahahaha!  ..........  Bahahaha!  

Two choices here..laugh or cry.  Read the first sentence over again and laugh with me and all the arrogant ignorance.  But God was gracious and kept us in spite of ourselves.  At least we were willing to go.  I didn't realize just staying on the mission field was going to be a ginormous task all on its own. 

Glorify to Simplify

Glorify to Simplify

Around October of 2012 two separate things I was reading brought my attention to an interesting fact that makes life much, much simpler.  The first was the quote posted below from the book When Helping Hurts.   

God Is Interested In Me

Psalm 139 

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,

thou understandeth my thought a far off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 

On this last week of 2013 I have begun to memorize Psalm 139, because in Psalm 1 the scripture says, "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."  The best way I know to meditate (think about deeply, consider) on scripture is to have it in my heart and mind (memorized).

I am encouraged by Psalm 139.  A love letter from God himself, that says not only did he create me, but He is interested in everything about me.  This passage will get more challenging, but today I am basking in this wondrous thought,

                                                                God is interested in me.