Have you ever really thought about how Jesus knows what stirs us up? He knows our inner most thoughts, He knows what makes us tick. He knows what will brighten our day.
Anyone that knows me knows that I love dogs. I mean, I’m not like a crazy dog fanatic that worships them…but you get the point. I grew up always having a dog in the house. I just feel comfortable with dogs. ANYWAY. Peru is FULL of dogs. They roam the streets everywhere. It’s so odd because they are like little humans. They’re street smart and always look like they’re smiling. So there I was, looking out the window of the 4th floor where we are staying, and I started to see dogs. I sat there for 10 minutes and probably saw about 20 different dogs. They all looked happy and on their way to live their cool dog life. And it was in that moment that I realized Jesus was allowing me to see something that He knew would bring me joy.
One of the dogs that lives on our block is Mildred (we lovingly named her). She’s disgusting and filthy and missing an eye. (Sally and I saw her up close and personal one day, and she’s sick) But we have so much love for her. We see her every day and we all find joy in her. I am beginning to learn that sometimes we have to choose joy. I believe the Spirit in us produces joy. I also believe that sometimes on a bad day the Lord sends us something that can brighten our day and bring out the joy within us.
The first week in Peru was extremely trying. It was stretching in every way. You don’t really think about how hard it is to swallow that you won’t see your loved ones for 11 months. Or at least I didn’t. I just never really spent a lot of time thinking about what it would mean to leave and be gone for that long. So, needless to say, the Lord did some work in me the first week we were here. I came onto the race tired, burned out, anticipating being homesick, in a new environment with tons of people I didn’t know, and I was scared. Just as freak out started to happen and I wasn’t sure how to handle it…..and then, I saw the dogs.
Alllllll this to say….Jesus knows what stirs us. He knows what we need. So sometimes, He sends a dog to brighten our day. Sometimes it’s a dog. (Sometimes its a middle aged man blasting 80’s love ballads on a boombox outside your window every night…because that happens here every.single.night. and I love it).
Sometimes finding joy in Jesus means intentionally seeking out those things that stir us and looking completely towards Him to give us joy. I can say that I have felt so loved on and cherished by the Lord since being in Peru. He is doing amazing things in Peru and He is moving!!!
I didn’t intend for this to be a lengthy blog but OH well. My time in Peru ends today. I have had a blast getting to know my team and serving alongside them. We have laughed so much and seen Jesus move in so many ways! We leave early tomorrow morning to start our journey to Ecuador. Life on the race has been refining but so good. I really can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for the next 10 months.
See ya in Ecuador…Ciao!
