This is really hard
Really hard
Not easy at all
….did I expect it to be?
Yes and no.
I knew it would be hard
And I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
I went into this semester with full time school, working at least 40 hours a week at this place called The Lighthouse and trying to raise support for The World Race. Sounds so easy right? So much fun, so much sleep and all the time in the world for my friends and hobbies. I went into this semester knowing what my commitments were and knowing what they meant. I’m physically tired,I haven’t raised nearly enough money for the World Race and I’m struggling to stay in the Word for myself. With all of this tiredness I explain, you might be expecting me to say that I’m ready to quit this whole school and ministry thing, and I’m ready to be done. However, the good news here is:
I AM FULL OF JOY.
I am currently sitting on the floor at Heritage High School’s indoor track doing my homework and watching one of the high school girls I mentor kick some serious butt on the track. She lapped the other team twice on the track. And I get to hang out with her, eat a lot of ice cream and talk about the King of Kings.
I AM FULL OF JOY.
As she runs the track, and finishes her races she continues to run the race the Lord has set before her. My friend walks out her everyday life as a believer in Jesus. She comes from what some people would call “the ghetto” or “the projects” but her life is the Lord’s. My friend is a candle of the light of Christ in her high school and her community. Jesus has blessed me with the opportunity to walk with her as she walks with him.
After a long day at school i finished my classes and rushed of to the Lighthouse. I just left The Lighthouse after coming to make sure the boys cleaned up the soup kitchen and made sure everything was ready for the next day. The boys did well, they served and fed 50+ homeless people, spent hours in the word and community with them, and for sure had a full Lighthouse day of adventure. I just spent all day at school with more to do and much to catch up on, emails to answer, texts to respond to, moms to get back to, angry children on my hands…and I’m tired but..
I AM FULL OF JOY.
I AM FULL OF JOY BECAUSE:
I am saved and redeemed
I am physically fed
My soul is satisfied with living water
I get to minister to the homeless
to teenagers
to young and old kids
I have friends that love me and care for me even when I’m a little run down
I have a family that supports me through all of my crazy
I have a God who never lets me go.
I AM FULL OF JOY.
Yesterday, two of my friends who don’t have much money donated $100 dollars each to my World Race. After spending many hours with a high school student tutoring her in English and sitting with her while she completed her other homework I was able to spend the car ride home with her hearing about who she thinks Jesus is, and how she reads the Bible. I was able to share some of the truth of the Gospel with her. My gas tanks was bare bones empty but I knew the Lord would provide. And the Lord provided $11. I got home that night physically tired, but so
FULL OF THE JOY OF THE LORD.
I could go on for so much more but let me just remind you friends, the Lord provides for all of your needs. He is good, and He will give you joy.
Remember this:
Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first the kingdom of Godand His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I love you friends, and you’ll here from me more soon!
In Christ Alone
Emily Reina Kerkhof
