This Tandem Living blog started in the summer of 2006. I’m excited to share that I’m writing my 101st post. What a journey this has been so far, and there is so much more to experience and share in the near future. Thank you for journeying with me whether you’ve been a part of it from the beginning or have only begun.
OK, so somewhere I lost the month of January. I traveled 15 days out of that month, had a sinus infection for a few days and then finished off the month with an ice/snowstorm.
You’d think being snowed-in would lend itself to accomplishing all kinds of to-do list tasks. But actually my family and I played games and watched movies. I’m thankful our electricity only went off for seven hours. Some people lost their power for seven to 10 days. I never want households to be in situations like that, but am thankful for the unexpected blessing to teach my parents how to play Settlers of Catan!
a hard hat and a soft heart
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).
Do you think this is a good picture for perseverance? Kaleb is definitely ready for something intense!
As you may realize I watched the 100 days come and go. I’m not sure if I should even describe the situation of not attending training this month as “unfortunate.” Sure, I was disappointed as I shared in my last post, but God is doing something bigger in my heart that is more important than being at training right now. He’s teaching me to live faith. He’s teaching me to wait on Him and even though that’s hard that it’s the most fulfilling place to be. Let me share a quote from one of my favorite writers Andrew Murray:
Once a believer begins to see it and consent to it — that he must, by the Holy Spirit, each moment receive what God each moment works — waiting on God becomes his brightest hope and joy. As he begins to understand how God, as God, as infinite Love, delights to impart His own nature to His child as fully as He can — how God is not weary of keeping charge of his life and strength — he wonders why he ever thought that God could not be waited on all day. God unceasingly giving and working and His child unceasingly waiting and receiving; this is the blessed life.
You may have to read those words a few times, but doesn’t that sound freeing? Check out Isaiah 30:18, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
The word “gracious” keeps popping up. What does it mean that the Lord longs to be gracious? Being gracious doesn’t always mean that life will be easy. One of the definitions I found for graciousness was “to make lovely.”
Hmm . . . I don’t have a problem becoming lovely. For women that’s something we desire. In order to make me lovely God has decided that the here and now is where I need to be. I don’t exactly understand why, but I’m doing my best to embrace the journey.
looking back and coming up . . .
Friends, I really need your prayer. I know life gets busy, but please join me in prayer and praise over these items:
• Praise God for the opportunity I had to share my heart at the Christian high school I graduated from.
• Praise for the $300 of monthly support raised in the last few months.
• Praise for the local friendships building through a Bible study I’m in and as a youth leader.
• I can’t thank God enough for the opportunity to serve youth again, even if I’ll only be involved with these teens for a short time. I come home so joyful!
• Please pray for me as I share with a local Kiwanis club on Thursday. This community group has a heart for serving children and youth and hopefully a connection will be made.
• Pray that God would provide effective opportunities to share with small groups and individuals.
• Pray that God would provide the $2000 of monthly support still needed, so I can attend summer training (I need to be close to 100% by April).
• Pray that I’d be intentional with the relationships and opportunities I have right now as I prepare to move overseas.
Thank you for your abundant encouragement and love! Have a great day!
