God’s pretty cool.
I feel like I say that a lot but I can’t help it because it’s true. I’ve been learning lately that the Lord doesn’t meet everyone in the exact same way. Some people, for instance, identify with and meet the Lord through the Son in the Trinity. They feel the weight of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross more so than others and therefore are more sacrificial. While Christ’s death is what compels ALL of us, it is more central for those who align with the Son.
Other people identify more with the Holy Spirit in the Trinity. These people tend to operate more in their spiritual giftings given by the Holy Spirit. When you think about these people, think Heidi Baker the prophetess, the prayer warrior in your church, the person in your small group who seems to have divine understanding of scripture where there seems to be nothing to understand.
I, on the other hand, tend to identify more with the Father. I am comforted by His words of wisdom, the peace only He can provide, and the way He shepherds and guides me each day. I look to Him as the Healer and Protector. I, and others like me, not only crave this from the Lord but also seek to be that to other people. Honest, loyal, genuine, peace-bringing, safe. These are all things I strive to be.
It’s no surprise that I identify more with the Father considering my story. But the reason I’m finding the Lord so cool today is that He has been meeting me in this Father place so much on the Race and I’m only just realizing it. Whenever I’ve really needed it, God has provided me that “dad” that I so crave.
Three men. Three separate countries. Three dads that I so deeply needed.
In Honduras, God provided Papi Lee. This man is a prayer warrior like no other and he cared for us like we were his own the whole time we were there. Since leaving almost seven months ago, he still keeps up with each of us who stayed with him and his wife, Gracie. God sent me Papi Lee while I was going through a very hard time with the anniversary of a personal tragedy, celebrating my first Christmas away from home, and struggling with my relationship and my body.
In Guatemala, God provided Craig. It’s weird even writing his name because he was always dad to team Sonflora. He’s your typical southern dad, always cracking jokes but full of so much love and wisdom. Whether it’s rigging up the TV so you can watch your home state win the National Championship or spending time discussing the struggles of life, dad was never one to bypass time with us. The Lord sent us him as our entire squad was about to go through our first round of team changes and while I was battling some serious depression and homesickness. He was the taste of home I needed and I know I will always have a home in Antigua with Daddy Craig and Mama Carol.
In Uganda, God has provided Enoch. I cannot say enough about how much I have appreciated having him as our host this month. A man of God, a counselor, a dad through and through. Our first week here, I managed to spend about 8 hours throwing up through the night. First thing in the morning, we called Enoch to let him know and he came immediately to take me to the hospital. More than just a worried host, he prayed over me and was my guard through the whole process, making sure I received the best care available. He then spent the next 5 days checking on me and praying over me any change he could. He’s never called us “guests” or “friends,” he has always called us daughters. He counts us as one of his own.
I sit here humbled as I realize the gift God has been giving me all along. I never noticed it, but He was giving me something I’ve been craving much longer than I’ve been on the Race. He has been giving me one of the deepest desires of my heart.
So, I say all of this to say thank you.
Thank you, Papi Lee, Craig, and Enoch for allowing the Lord to use you to impact me in a way much deeper than even I understood.
And I say an even larger thank you to my number one Father for being the Provider that I’ve always needed, the Counselor I will forever turn to, and the Dad I’ve always dreamed of.
I am blessed beyond measure.
All the love from Uganda,
Katie Mere
