He
Loves Me
I
love it how God loves me. He knows me thoroughly and in His knowledge, He knows
that I desire adventure, experiences, and the outdoors. He knows that I delight
in being outside and within His glorious creation as much as possible. Perhaps
that is one of the reasons behind our home and ministry being (literally) three
feet away from the rainforest. Or, if it is not raining, my team and I cool off
in the nearby Mossman River and its rapids. Or, on three of our days off, we
were able to experience some of this northeast territory’s natural beauties.
Last week, it was exploring the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation;
this week, a spear-hunting day on the mudflats and in the mangroves of Cooya
Beach as well as a day-long venture into the Pacific, to SCUBA and snorkel on
the Outer Edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
I
know I am loved, regardless of what I see and what I do–but to be reminded of
it through nature has been a thorough encouragement.
Even
though I relish these opportunities to explore rainforests, wander a rugged
beach, slip and slide around mudflats, and SCUBA with sharks, God has
demonstrated His love through the children here in Mossman. Last week, it was
though a simple conversation with ThouThou, a local eight year old. She asked
me about my family as we climbed over rocks and swam in the rapids. God knew I
needed this connection and it was the highlight of my week. Similarly, at
Sunday’s evening church service, I was on my way to greet a new guest when a
toddler reached out to me. I could not resist her small, but inquisitive face,
which was filled with joy as I played with her for a few minutes. Her
grandmother attempted to hold her still as we played before church began, but
her enthusiasm and squirming legs were too much for her and we sat on the floor
playing.
It
really is through these brief interactions that have brought me joy through our
day-to-day ministry here in the bush.
