Over the corse of the Race I’ve spent a fair amount of money, mostly on gifts for loved ones back home, and well then there was malaria. Also a little bit on fun stuff, like a moped ride and a safari. Other then the moped ride and the safari I haven’t bought anything for myself because the memories of the countries I think will be souvenir enough. That’s not to say however that there are not things I’ve seen that I would really enjoy having. I never buy anything for myself because I don’t think I could justify carrying it around for the rest of the race and I’ve never been one to spend money on myself.
Since John Rebba joined my team he’s made a point to point out every awesome painting he has seen. After a month or so of his comments on all of these paintings I realized I really want one. Still unable to justify buying one for myself I simply gawk at all the beautiful paintings and walk on.
Now for me I’ve only recently started following God with all of my heart, and in doing so I made a few assumptions. I thought that God didn’t want me to have nice things and since he wanted me to get out of my comfort zone I believed he didn’t want be to have comforts. Today I learned that both of these ideas in my head were false.
Durning the church session this morning I felt peace, joy, and just the warmth of the Holy Spirit. Sitting in a white plastic chair listening to the girls worship I realized I was more comfortable then I could ever remember. Yes, God calls us out of our comfort zones, but it’s so that we can find our comfort in Him. My prayer today is that from now on the only time I find myself being comfortable is when I’m in the presence of the Lord.
Even after my realization that God wants us to still find comfort I still didn’t believe that he wanted me to have nice things on this earth. I know that I will have riches beyond my wildest dreams when I get to heaven but I never expected to see some of those riches given to me here on this earth. Today I saw a black painting of some mountains that I knew I wanted but I didn’t buy it just because I didn’t think it would be in ‘Gods Will’ for me to get it for myself. God, however, saw my heart. He takes care of all my needs and sees my desires. He saw that I wanted that painting and he moved in a way I was not expecting.
When we got back to our sleeping courters John pulled me aside to show me some of the paintings that he bought. This first one I saw was as beautiful as the painting I had seen at the market, but it couldn’t even hold a candle to the one he showed me next. I was so struck by its beauty that I didn’t hear what John said at first. Then when my brain caught up I realized that John said he had gotten the painting for me.
God is my Father, my Dad. He wants me to not only be always joyful in knowing that he loves me, but I think he also wants to see me happy even during this time I’m here on earth.
Thank you Dad you are awesome. I will love you forever and always. And thank you John!! You did more then just buy me the best painting ever, you showed me a bit more of our Father, a part of him I’ve never noticed before.
1 Peter 4:10
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
Today I look at this verse a little more literally. Thank you God for your grace, your love, this painting and for being my Father.
