It
was Sunday afternoon. After an hour or so of using the internet, I crossed the
street to use the phone. I had left my group, but I knew they were all right
across the street at the coffee shop…. No worries. To my surprise, an hour
later I went over, all ready to meet my team for dinner or just hang out at the
coffee shop.
I got there
to find no one. So I checked the only 4 places we ever go to in that
square….and still no one. Uh oh! I paced back and forth, watching the sun
begin to go down, trying to figure out what I was going to do. That night my
team made plans for dinner, figured they would have met me at 6 like they said,
but they never came either. After pacing for a good 20 minutes I knew I had to
begin the half hour Rickshaw ride home to beat the dark. I sat alone on the
rickshaw, music blasting and eyes peeled hoping to pass someone I knew going
the other way, but nope. Praise the Lord I got home safely and the Rickshaw
driver did not come after me after I paid.
When I got
home I was on the brink of tears, but then Mark and I walked to the store to
get ice cream and that temporarily made me feel better. A trial so little, just
trying to test me. I wasn’t angry, but I was definitely hurt. Even after
receiving apologies from those who had left me my feelings were hurt and I felt
as though trust had been broken. Why would they leave me?! Clearly a
miscommuication…it happens.
After
pouting for awhile, I sat down not really desiring to talk to Jesus about it,
but just to write about my day. And what a revelation I had. This is what I
wrote…This morning half the squad went to a church service with the Burmese
Refugees. While I sat there, I looked into the eyes of the men, women and
children knowing each one of them had a story to tell, but hid the pain of
their lives well with the joy of the Lord accompanied with big smiles and
laughter. They are truly beautiful people.
involvement with the Leper Colony I have no done direct ministry at the Burmese
refugee camp, although I had heard some of their stories which are
unfathomable.. escaping a corrupt country that is now consumed by greed and
violence. Many of the woman (while living there) have been kidnapped, taken
away for days at a time to be assualted and raped. Wow. Furthermore, often the
towns of Burma get raided. Anything of value is stolen, people are assulted,
beaten and eventually left shot and killed. Thankfully, the Lord has brought
some of them out of Burma, but all of them still have family and friends there.
Devastating.
“…And
when you find love is all that matters after all,
it
sure makes everything else seem SO small…”
-carrie
underwood
are the worries of my life!! There I was sad and pouting about being left in
town alone, and still got home safely without any problems whatsoever. Hmm.
When stopping and putting into perspective of what really matters my
problems are a complete joke! Yet at the same time, the Lord not only knows
them, but He cares even when it is something so small. He knows it all, loves
us and cares for us all the same. He is reliable, always there, never leaving
us nor forsaking us. He cares about our most deep thoughts and feelings.
So as
I sat pouting, I know the Lord did not forget me and will never forget me. And
even though I felt hurt, yet at the same time completely ridiculous for even
caring I know He does. He cares for the “stupid little problems” that drive us
crazy. And that is just one of the neverending reasons I am so in love with my
God…head over heals.
I
finished my time with a prayer, God. I say I am okay. I choose not to be
bitter, not to lose trust and re-build walls that have already been knocked
down. You got me Lord, I look to you always praising you so so much for caring
about the little things in my life, for never leaving me, always protecting and
providing for me in abundance. Jesus I love you. I choose Your Joy, your love
and grace. I choose you God! And sing nothing but your praises all the days of
my life!
be
joyful always
pray
continuously
give
thanks in ALL situations
for
this is God’s will for YOU in Christ Jesus.
Thessalonians 5:16-18
We live for something so much
greater than the problems and worries this world has to give us.
There
are NO random moments. Our God is not a random God. And therefore, we must
’embrace the pain’ because we can always always learn and grow from it!
I
will not walk in defeat. Jesus came. He already conquered this world. It’s done
it’s finished. We are MORE THAN CONQUERERS!
