Disclaimer: late entry 🙂
The other morning, as I struggled to wake up, I found myself in our host family’s kitchen. Each morning, we attempt to assist in preparing breakfast. This particular morning wasn’t extremely different than others. But this morning I had a partner. As I sat down to peel the eggs shells from the cooked eggs, little Anna Rut decided she would like to help to. As I sat there, I watched her slowly pick away the warm shells away from her soon-to-be breakfast. She and I would talk back and forth. Many times, it included me not understanding the tiny two year-old as she speaks toddler Spanish. As we hit the eggs on the table, cracks appear before our eyes. The egg is hot to the touch. Sometimes the shell comes away easy, but other times we are only able to remove the tiniest pieces at a time. You have to be cautious, as each egg is delicate, and it’s so easy to cause the perfectly shaped egg to break. As Pastora (Sometimes our team calls her ‘mom’—we don’t think she is aware of this, yet) saw each of our struggles, she brought over a pot of cold water. As soon as we set the eggs in the cold water, the task became some much easier.
As I think back to the whole process of the egg that morning, I can see a good representation of my life, as well as others’. Our lives without Jesus are messy. Sometimes I need Him to get my attention. Sometimes I need him to hit me to get my attention. When I am not focused on Him, my world around me tends to crumble as all of the imperfections begin to appear. And sometimes I try to fix my imperfections or solve my problems on my own. It’s a slow process, and I feel like nothing is being accomplished. But the Lord offers help. He can sprinkle clean water on me, and turn my heart of stone to a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36). The crumbled mess is easily removed now.
This month in Mapiri, we are awaiting the start of an incredible construction project: the rebuilding of the church building. It’s been a lot of hard work, and a lot of waiting.
XXX
