It’s easier to complain about the hard things in life than to give praise to God for the simple little things. Swaziland is hot and even though it should be rainy this time of year, it is also very dry. We have to walk fifteen minutes to the bus stop to take us to ministry. For two days this month we had to walk in the hot sun more than typical. The church we were painting was a ten minute walk from where the bus dropped us off, with no shade along the path we took. Then we had to stand in that blazing heat, painting the church, hoping we didn’t drink our water all at once, because there wasn’t a place near by to fill our nalgenes. Then when we were finished painting we went to wait for a bus that we weren’t certain would even come. After waiting for a period of time, we decided to walk back to the homestead when a child announced that we just missed the bus to Timbutini.
The story could end here, on a bitter note. Detailing all the hard moment of ministry this month with bitterness and resentment at not having better provisions made for a group of white girls who weren’t used to such intense heat. But as hard as it is to see sometimes, God’s provision not only exists, it is a beautiful thing, far more worthy of noting.
Our story continues at the market just off the highway, to the road that leads home(stead). We stopped by the first day of this painting ministry to refresh ourselves with ice cold bottled water. As we began to make our long journey down the road, a woman pulled up and stopped, rolled down her window and asked us where we were going. Our reply was immediately followed by inviting us to a ride, so we wouldn’t have to be scorched by the hot sun. We soon learned that this gracious woman was a teacher in Manzini, the nearest city about a fifteen minute drive down the highway. We could have missed this opportunity had we stayed in the store only a few minutes too long. But the lord provided us with a perfect match in time for an opportunity to be shielded from the hot sun.
The next day was much like the day before, as we walked in the hot sun, making our way to the homestead. But no one came to offer us a ride. I prayed for a cloud to shield us and the Lord provided. When we made it about half way, the cloud moved and the sun began to beat down on us again. Moments later a bus came by and stopped to see if we wanted to get on. When we asked them how much it would cost to go the little way down the road that we were going, they told us they would take us for free! They said because we were regular customers and it wasn’t that far to go. So we got on and rode to the bus stop we typically get on at. It didn’t seem like it would be that bad to be in the sun for the short walk from the bus stop to the homestead. But the Lord had mercy on us once again. As soon as we got off the bus, the sun immediately had a cloud cover it for the remainder of our walk. To top off this amazing experience, as we were walking down the road the wind came up and blew some dust into a dust funnel. It was so cool. It looked like a mini tornado. I have never seen anything like it in my life.
It’s little provisions like this, that could be easily overlooked. But how amazing it is when we take notice of the small things that make life beautiful. So I challenge you to let go of focusing on the bad things and open your heart to receive the good. What small things happened in your life this week that made you feel like God was looking down on you with a wink and a smile to tell you how much he loves you?
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May You delight yourself in The Lord today.
