Do you ever feel like The Lord gives you nuggets of awesomeness when you least expect it but most need it?
This month has been difficult in ways I didn’t anticipate. It is all squad month, and being the extrovert I am I expected that I would LOVE being surrounded by 43 other people.
Don’t get me wrong I love being with the whole squad. Having conversations with different people and getting to know everyone. But I am also noticing I need a lot more alone time than usual. I have sat in my hammock and read for countless hours already this month. I have been in my head a lot and allowed myself to be frustrated about the heat, sharing a bathroom with 34 other women, and lack of sleep.
This morning Bethany, one of our squad leaders, spoke to us out of Romans 9:30-33.
“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
She explained how God freely gives mercy, there is nothing we can do to receive it, it’s given no matter what. However grace, while also free, has to be accepted by us, it’s our choice. She then went on to say if The Lord so freely gives grace and can extent grace in every situation under the sun, why is it so hard for us to extend the same grace to others?!?
This hit me hard because there are a few people who have been driving me crazy, for reason I justify in my head, but in reality I am just being a brat. The Lord is calling me to extend grace to them in those situations. Does that mean I roll over and not call them to a higher standard? No. But I have to give them grace to even be in a position of calling them higher.
All of this to say God is awesome and provides encouragement even when I’m not making the best decisions. He has given my team some pretty amazing nuggets over the last two weeks!
The first was naming a baby!
Then last Friday ministry was near the beach and our translator bought 15 fish for dinner. Now mind you these weren’t like the fish you go pick up in Trader Joe’s, these were the freshest fish I’ve ever had. Straight out of the Bay of Bengal, soaked in some delicious concoction of spices, then cooked to perfection!
And finally today we were witnesses to the arranging of a marriage, yes we saw the parents of bride and groom hashing out the details of their children’s marriage. We also met the most joyful, cute, old women! She had a smile she could not wipe off her face! Her joy was contagious! When I first saw her she grabbed my chin then kissed her fingers, which is their way of kissing each other on the cheek! I was giddy! It was wonderful!
The Lord is good. He provides to those who love, seek and follow Him! Release your expectations and let Him surprise you!
