The Countdown Begins!

Now that our trip has come and gone, the countdown begins! Soon we will have the ability to make good food. Soon we will hug our doggy. Soon we will see family. As exciting as that is, there are a ton of unknowns to return to. It is easy to wish for time to go slowly. Here, we are protected. Provided for. We have a shelter. Going back brings some fear. While we are not going back to the same life, we are still going back to life. The time here has been like a pause button. When we return, the play button will be pressed. We will go back to living in the "real" world. The problems we left behind will be there waiting. The fears have started to wiggle there way through the joy. I am so glad that our hope is in Jesus. He is my anchor. I am clinging onto that anchor, ready for the waves to come. Funny that I should have fear. The waves that beat me up and tossed me to shore, left for dead, were not successful. Why am I afraid of a storm I already endured? Why is it so hard to believe the promise of a Father who has been so faithful in my life? Today, my prayer is that I would believe Jesus to be who He says He is in MY life. Not for others or hypothetically, but in the insurmountable walls that hide the future from my sight. That His peace would reign in my heart. That I would rest on the knowledge that He who began a good work is faithful to complete it. Tonight, as silence surrounds me, I choose to place my trust in a God who sees the entirety of my life. Who knows me in my secret heart and loves me despite my fear. What comfort we have in all things with Christ at the head of the ship, sailing through the sea of uncharted territories. "He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today. He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way. He is able, more than able, to do much more than I can ever dream. He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be."

He is Risen!

This Easter, we will be traveling all day on a train back to France. It has been a strange year for our family. We have learned to adjust to a life filled with time and happily accommodated to the slow pace we now take. Yet the holidays are a reminder. The loneliness of celebrating holidays without a church family. The reminder that it will be awhile before things will actually be normal again. That said, this Easter we are no less grateful for the blood that was shed. I am actually more grateful than I have ever been before! Without that blood, my life would be a mess. Without His grace, I would be alone. Without His promise, I would be without hope. We are blessed. In the midst of the pain and sorrow of life, we have a Savior who walked a road so much rougher than mine. He was betrayed so much deeper, beaten so much harder, an ultimately paid the price for my sin and shame. All without a word. He was willing to bear the cost- pay the price. He did it with many mockers. He did it with many accusers. He did not defend His honor. He laid down His rights. He counted the cost. In the end, we were worth it. No matter how much we have failed, He still considers us a worthy investment. What a blessed Redeemer we have. This Jesus- our Savior- Has risen from the dead victoriously so that we too may experience victory! The sweet blood of Jesus that washes over me and purges my sin to make me holy. All because He loves me. He loves you, too. It is that love that draws us into His presence and strengthens us to keep fighting in this life.