I smile as I lay in a double hammock on top of two of my best friends. I look up at the trees, feel the cool breeze over my body, and hear them both singing a song on either side of me. I can’t stop smiling and laughing. God is good.
I race around the park in Antigua with my little friend Henry. We both laugh as he falls to the ground out of breath from sprinting in circles. God is good.
I stay in bed sick as my friend brings me her homemade chicken noodle soup. It tastes oh so good and I am reminded of how blessed I am. God is good.
I build a puzzle with a widow’s son in the middle of the sidewalk. I focus in on this boy’s smile and his mother’s sideways giggles and I know- God is good.
I pray over my friend Maria, who is a widow that lives on the streets with her daughter. I watch as she clutches her hands to her chest, saying her own prayer, tears streaming down her face. God is good.
I hold my friend Viviana’s baby, Alejandra, as she sells her homemade goods on the streets. I look down at the little chubster who is now cracking up as my friend, Taylor, makes funny faces and pretends to eat my hair. God is good.
I dance in circles with my little buddy Luis, who is 14, at a Christian music festival in Antigua. We both laugh as we trip and fall on top of the avocados lying on the ground near our food table. God is good.
I hand out stickers to a group of kids in the park. They smile and laugh as they stick the dinosaurs to their hands, face, and clothes. God is good.
I laugh as I teach a group of 20 kids, ages 5-18, english. They all try their best to repeat the words I’m saying- sometimes they mess up and we all break out in laughter at the funny words that result. God is good.
I am able to just breathe as I lay in the grass looking up at the clouds with my best friend. Yellow flowers grow out of the old wall, butterflies fly around the trees nearby, and we both roll around the ground in fits of laughter. God is so good.
Lately God has been reminding me how He is good, all the time! This past week I’ve smiled more, laughed harder, and praised God more than I ever thought possible. It’s amazing that I have a Father who knows me SO well that He knows exactly how to make my heart burst with His joy and love until it bubbles over into fits of giggles and uncontrollable smiles.
I’m slowly learning that if I give up control, take time with God, and seize the moment He will answer my deepest prayers and desires in His time. And let me assure you, my friends, that His timing is far greater than anything you could ever imagine.
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
“We were filled with laughter…and we sang for joy.” Psalm 126:2
Hammocking with Ashlyn and Taylor
Kids in the park picking out their stickers! The little boy’s name is Chino and the little girl’s name is Daisy!
My friend Henry enjoying an ice cream!
