How He Speaks to Us

Heard an awesome story today about God speaking to a friend through a particular verse. Jeremiah 29:11 was used several times over a few days when she was presented with an opportunity to do something she had never considered doing. We all listened to her story of "coincidences" with nodding heads and smiles! What a cool "God thing!" He is so good to communicate with us by His words and give us total peace when we make decisions that acknowledge His will in our lives. When I prayed for a door to open to make this trip possible for me this year, and God answered - immediately and fully - I was taken aback at first. I thought, "Really? You want me to do this? For real?" And then thrilled, elated, that He obviously did want me to do it and had intervened to make it possible. I laughed out loud in that moment, all alone like a crazy woman in my minivan. He made Himself obvious to me for a beautiful, crystalline moment. I don't always feel it. I question, I wonder...are you there, do you hear? He is. He does. As I said earlier, I am hungry for, greedy for, utterly addicted to that sense of recognition. It's not always a happy addiction, though, because as I know more, He allows me to see more. As I see more, He allows me to feel more, and that is not always where I want to go. There is so much pain, heartache, unfairness and evil in the world - can I look at it? Do I want to?

Our awesome team leader gave us this verse to meditate upon at our last Kenya meeting.

What a wonderful God we have -- he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement.

Asante.

Yes, Virginia, it is far

As in, the other side of the world. OK, so I am not really looking forward to a 16-hour plane ride. Nope, the very thought of it makes me a little claustrophobic and a whole lot antsy. Better not to think of it. I'll think about that tomorrow.

God has actually stilled my heart quite a bit on this issue. I think He has some kind of cool trick where He covers our eyes and protects our thoughts from dwelling on worrisome things we can't change.

So, if you are praying for me, I ask for continued covering of eyes and the courage to keep walking forward. Also, if you feel so inclined, please send me a book recommendation that I can download into my ipod. Don't send me a classic literature recommendation that I should have read in college, or will make me look smart on the plane. Send me the ONE book that you absolutely had to devour in one sitting, the one that you stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish, the one that engrossed your mind and heart to such an extent that you forgot you were on an airplane for hours and hours. And hours. That's the one.

asante!!

The Decision

I'm going to Kenya this summer. Dang, that is one outrageous sentence. I am not believing it yet.

I am inspired to go by my sweet friends who have gone.

I am excited to go. What will happen when I go? Who knows? But I'm going.

I am just flat out greedy for God's presence. When He works all around, and sometimes, if I'm very lucky, through (or in spite of) me...there is just nothing more thrilling to see and experience.

Why go? Why go so far? Yes, there are plenty of people in need right here in Marietta, Georgia. And He uses me here, too. When I'm open. When I'm not caught up and carried away by life's currents. When I'm not distracted by shiny objects. When I'm not immersed in Me. But there is something undeniably sweet and purposeful about removing myself from this comfortable life, full of its many blessings, and spending 10 precious days doing Solely Only Specifically what He would have me to do. Trusting Him to direct my path, my words, my heart. Goodbye, Me.

I don't know why He wants me to go to Kenya, but He opened the door and invited me to walk through it. He provided the way. He said: Step out of the boat, girl! Just for 10 days. A nanosecond really, on the clock of my life. It's entirely possible, probable even, that He is far more interested in what He can do in my life, in each person's life that will intersect with this trip, than in what I can do for anyone I may meet.

And so, there it is. I'm going to Kenya this summer. What?!!??!!