Yesterday I was in the children's home I go to help with dinner each day. As I was there, a thunderstorm blew in. It wasn't huge, but the thunder and lighting were very close. The house mother in the house became very scared. She started crying and made all the children huddle near her. Usually they eat at tables, but that night they had a picnic at her feet. She kept looking at me asking why I wasn't afraid. I calming said that thunderstorms did not make me scared. (I didn't tell her that growing up my dad and I would sit outside and watch storms come in. I could tell she was too scared for that). I asked her why she was scared and she told me this story...
Shortly after her husband left, a big thunderstorm came in. She was at home alone with her four small children. The house was struck by lighting and burnt to "ashes." Thankfully her and her children got out of the house safely. As she told the story, you could tell her fear was getting stronger. She told me she did not want that to happen to her new children (BG kids). I was able to pray with her and the children and she calmed down. She told me I was protecting her, I quickly said that God was our protector, not me. She then tired to convince me that I needed to sleep there last night instead of in my house.
The more I thought about her story, the more I thought about fear. With every thunder clap and flash of lightening, she jumped and screamed, which only made the children scared as well (except one child who laughed every time). Her body was so full of fear that she had a hard time doing anything else. As children, we learn to trust those around us. They should bring safety and peace, but as we grow, fear creeps in and we become distrusting. Some say that fear is the absence of faith, but I feel fear is the absence of trust. I have faith in God that he is our protector and provider, but I also have fear at times in how He will provide. Trusting in Him lessens that fear and makes me cling to Him more.
Fear is not a bad feeling, until it cripples us from doing what God wants us to do. In the Old Testament, people were told to fear God and His mighty power. In the New Testament, Jesus came to rid people of their fear of eternal shame and give them hope of a heavenly future. In a way, fear shows authority to the One who created everything and has the right to "uncreated" it as well. Thankfully through the grace and mercy of Christ, we do not have to fear our future. By following God with our hands open to His will, He will protect and provide.
What are you afraid of? If we are all honest, we all have fears in our life that at times take over our body and emotions. Fears can be deep and even though you have faith in God and in His power, you still have fear. Some fears are a result of something bad. Like the house mother, she was scared of lighting because it burnt her house down. Are you afraid of being alone, because you were hurt by people? Are you afraid of planes, because of bad flight? Are you afraid of yourself, because of an insecurity in you?
Whatever your fear, God does not want you to be consumed by it. He wants you to live a life free of the crippling fear that is limiting you from fully living. When I get scared, there are some things I do that help me a lot. First, pray against it. Second tell someone, that way if you can't pray against it, because the fear is so strong, someone else can. Third, read scripture that bring hope and power. Lastly, listen to music that calms you and builds you up.
Scripture...
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD." Psalm 27:1-6
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
"I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" Psalm 118:5-6
"The Spirit you received does not make you salves so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry 'Abba Father'." Romans 8:15
"For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
And remember there is one thing that takes away all fear and it can only be found through Jesus Christ.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because of fear has to do with punishment." 1 John 4:18.
God is love. He wants you to live in that love. Let go on the fear and allow His perfect love to flow over you.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
This week, I have experienced two very different, yet similar pictures of a father's love. Each of them have pointed me to God's love and how through that love, I am a child of His.
One morning this week, I walked into the office ready for my day of tackling the "unknowns" and was told we were going to be accepting a new child. I was excited to add a new member to the BG family. A few hours later, the social worker came back from picking up the child and brought them to my office. She knows how much I love to pray over children right when they come to BG, so I am usually the first stop she makes when checking a child in. As she did the paperwork, I held the 9 month of baby in my arms and was marveled at how small they were. By the condition of their skin and hair, you could tell they were taken care of, but the child was so tiny. Our social worker motioned for me to go the main part of the office where the child's father was sitting. I was able to talk with him for a while with the help of a translator and my heart broke. He loved his child, but just could not afford to care for them. Because of this, he decided the best thing was to put the child up for adoption. He was a single parent and just couldn't provide. We sat for awhile and then the social worker asked me to take the child to their new house. I felt it in my heart that the father should say goodbye. I handed him his child. He looked into their eyes, spoke words of love, kissed them and then gave the child back to me. I couldn't imagine the feeling of his heart. He wanted the best for his child and he knew he could not provide it.
One morning this week, I walked into the office ready for my day of tackling the "unknowns" and was told we were going to be accepting a new child. I was excited to add a new member to the BG family. A few hours later, the social worker came back from picking up the child and brought them to my office. She knows how much I love to pray over children right when they come to BG, so I am usually the first stop she makes when checking a child in. As she did the paperwork, I held the 9 month of baby in my arms and was marveled at how small they were. By the condition of their skin and hair, you could tell they were taken care of, but the child was so tiny. Our social worker motioned for me to go the main part of the office where the child's father was sitting. I was able to talk with him for a while with the help of a translator and my heart broke. He loved his child, but just could not afford to care for them. Because of this, he decided the best thing was to put the child up for adoption. He was a single parent and just couldn't provide. We sat for awhile and then the social worker asked me to take the child to their new house. I felt it in my heart that the father should say goodbye. I handed him his child. He looked into their eyes, spoke words of love, kissed them and then gave the child back to me. I couldn't imagine the feeling of his heart. He wanted the best for his child and he knew he could not provide it.
"How deep the Father's love for us. How vast beyond all measure. That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory."
To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory."
A few days after this, we rejoiced in a forever family day. When the parents walked into the office to pick up their children, you could see the excitement in their eyes. You didn't have to ask how they were feeling, because you could tell. Their biological son, also radiated excitement as he waited to meet his siblings. The meeting was another holy moment that is indescribable. I am humbled that God allows me to sit in and watch the meetings take place. After some time, a staff member came in and introduced themselves to the family. The dad politely introduced himself and said "These are my three children. (pause) I HAVE THREE CHILDREN! I HAVE NEVER SAID THAT BEFORE." He was so excited to say that out loud. He walked around campus with his new son and told staff members, "I am his daddy. He is my son. I am his daddy." He was so excited and full of love. The constant hugs, kisses and high fives. showed the love that a parent can give. The parents may have entered in as a family of three, but they left an excited family of five.
Everyday, God faces the fact, that He loves His children so much that He had to give up His Son for them to see that. He walks around Heaven telling all the angels, "See that one? I am His daddy. He is my son. She is my daughter. I am her Daddy." God is SO incredibly in love with us. He wants to world to know that we are family. He wants the world to know that we belong to Him and Him alone. He is ours and we are His. What a privilege to be adopted into His family! But we must remember that the only way that we are able to do so, is because one day, He looked at His Son, kissed Him and then gave Him up for us.
"I will not boast in anything. No gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom."
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Overflow
There is one world that best describes the past week...WET.
Lesotho is known for having many days of sunshine, but this year that is not the case. Every step you take on our campus, you step in a puddle. The inside of the children and volunteer houses look like clothing stores, because we can not use the outside lines to dry our laundry. There is a lot of water, but there is even more JOY.
Yesterday I was walking around the campus and I will be honest, I didn't have the best attitude. I was carrying children back and forth from their houses to the clinic for check ups. I was drenched. I used my rain coat to cover the children, but had no covering for myself. I was tired. Tired of being wet. Tried of being tired. I was tried. As I watched people walking around the campus I saw a lot more tired people. A week ago, when our campus was flooded, the Geurink children along with a family who is volunteering here and myself were running through the puddles, splashing and laughing. That day I carried some of the staff on my back from the baby houses to the front of the campus, because they told me they were scared of the water. It was a fun, very wet afternoon. Now fast forward a week later and we are no longer running in joy and laughing, but complaining and tired (at least I was).
As I sat on the front porch yesterday and felt the rain, I was reminded about God's overflowing presence. Psalm 23:5 says, "You prepare a table before in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." God has laid out everything we need. He not only supplies what we need, but He sends His Spirit to overflow in our lives with power and joy. Our cups should never be half empty, or half full, because God supplies our needs and overflows through us by the power of His Spirit.
In your life, do you feel God's presence as a little trickle, or as a raging stream, rushing through every ounce of you with mighty power? A lot of times we feel as though God has left us. His power and presence are not felt. I know I have had those day.
Take your hands and hold them open under a faucet. It is easy to feel the water rushing in your hands, because there is more of them to receive it. Now hold your hands closed in a fist. It is hard to receive the water because your hands are closed.
It is the same with God. Are your hands open up to the Spirit or are they closed? Are you ready to receive His power, so that you can be His witness? Are you ready to have your life OVERFLOW with God's presence?
One of my favorite verses says, "May the God of hope fill you with al joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). I pray for all of you reading this that you will open your hands and allow God's hope to flow out of you like the rushing water at BG. Accept His grace and mercy in times when you get scared and your hands close, but they open them up and trust that God is making a way for you in.
Lesotho is known for having many days of sunshine, but this year that is not the case. Every step you take on our campus, you step in a puddle. The inside of the children and volunteer houses look like clothing stores, because we can not use the outside lines to dry our laundry. There is a lot of water, but there is even more JOY.
Yesterday I was walking around the campus and I will be honest, I didn't have the best attitude. I was carrying children back and forth from their houses to the clinic for check ups. I was drenched. I used my rain coat to cover the children, but had no covering for myself. I was tired. Tired of being wet. Tried of being tired. I was tried. As I watched people walking around the campus I saw a lot more tired people. A week ago, when our campus was flooded, the Geurink children along with a family who is volunteering here and myself were running through the puddles, splashing and laughing. That day I carried some of the staff on my back from the baby houses to the front of the campus, because they told me they were scared of the water. It was a fun, very wet afternoon. Now fast forward a week later and we are no longer running in joy and laughing, but complaining and tired (at least I was).
As I sat on the front porch yesterday and felt the rain, I was reminded about God's overflowing presence. Psalm 23:5 says, "You prepare a table before in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." God has laid out everything we need. He not only supplies what we need, but He sends His Spirit to overflow in our lives with power and joy. Our cups should never be half empty, or half full, because God supplies our needs and overflows through us by the power of His Spirit.
In your life, do you feel God's presence as a little trickle, or as a raging stream, rushing through every ounce of you with mighty power? A lot of times we feel as though God has left us. His power and presence are not felt. I know I have had those day.
Take your hands and hold them open under a faucet. It is easy to feel the water rushing in your hands, because there is more of them to receive it. Now hold your hands closed in a fist. It is hard to receive the water because your hands are closed.
It is the same with God. Are your hands open up to the Spirit or are they closed? Are you ready to receive His power, so that you can be His witness? Are you ready to have your life OVERFLOW with God's presence?
One of my favorite verses says, "May the God of hope fill you with al joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). I pray for all of you reading this that you will open your hands and allow God's hope to flow out of you like the rushing water at BG. Accept His grace and mercy in times when you get scared and your hands close, but they open them up and trust that God is making a way for you in.
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