I awake from a dream about friends at home while I’m across the world without them, and then an ice cold shower pelting on an already cold body, but these are not complaints as they might seem. As I sit here in a huge sweatshirt, drinking vanilla tea, bethel playing on my ipod and my mosquito next pushed far back so I can sit on my bed comfortably, I’m thankful. I’m thankful that I’m in Africa, I’m thankful it’s overcast this morning so I can be comfortable in this sweatshirt, I’m thankful I have the opportunity to miss my amazing friends at home, I’m thankful that the store down the street sells vanilla tea, and I’m thankful that my God is so close I can feel his breath on my beck. I can feel my body responding to the overwhelming spirit that is laying on me, that is filling me with all the goodness of Christ. I’m living this life in a state of thankfulness, well, I’m trying to.
As I sit with only 7 days left in Tanzania I confess that I took this place for granted. The first week and a half I had a horrible attitude. My expectations and rights were flaring up again, month 6 and I think I own the world. I was so discontent with everything around me it was hard for me to be positive at all. I was so used to my surroundings being pretty satisfying, I was used to my team being easy to navigate, I was used to never relying on God for my comfort, or my complete satisfaction. Well, I can tell you confidently that he was fed up with that. He wanted to be my all in all. He wanted to show me that I can be content even when my circumstances were not ideal.
Yesterday I was given the opportunity to give a sermon. I preached on living a life with our hands wide open, ready for whatever God gives us, whether it is trials or blessings. I want to accept both with praise and thanksgiving. My God is a good God, he desires good things for his children.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Everything that he places in my hands is for my good and his glory. He does not care about my understanding of the situation; he just wants my trust and praise, so that is what I will give him from now on. I want to echo Paul’s declaration in Philippians,
“For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. “ Philippians 4:11-13
Now, I’m going to enjoy my peanut butter bread that was just placed out for breakfast and praise God for this amazing situation he has placed me in.
“Now to him who Is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to be him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever amen.” Ephesians 3:20
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I'm still $4,167 short of my last deadline on March 1st.
God is changing me and moving me to be more like him.
Keep me on this journey that he has called me on.
I know he's pulling you to donate, obey his voice, his spirit.
Thank you to all that have supported me already, you are a true blessing to my life.
