The Waiting....

Have you ever had to wait for something big to happen? Test results, job interview, a doctors call, or of the referral for a baby girl is coming. It can be so hard waiting to see if you are ok, if bills will be paid, if the cancers back, or if the adoption was approved.

On May 1, 2006 we got the call that a little girl was being referred to us for adoption. It was the best day of my life. About a year before, though, we got the call we can never have children of our own natural abilities. Who knew that after years of long suffering we would be blessed four times over with our beautiful Ethiopian children.

How much harder must it have been 2000 years ago when a small band of people gathered together mourning the loss of their Rabbi, their Savior, their Friend. But they didn't really know they were waiting for the resurrection. Imagine the loss of truly believing He was gone. He was their Healer, their Comforter, their King, their Leader. What were they to do now?

So as you wait to find out if your cancer is back, or you passed your math test, or your husband is coming home from overseas, or if your mother will survive, remember there is a promise you can always count on - Christ does rise and He is there again waiting to comfort, heal, hold, love, and be there as His dear children pass from this world. So remember that even if you are waiting - Jesus is waiting right with you and He is excited to share in the wait and the answers with you.

Lord remind me that even though this wait is temporary, your boundless grace will shine through.

Inspection of invasive species

I sit in training today learning about how to inspect boats for invasive species. - mussels, milfoil, etc. it amazes me at how quickly these species can spread!

Isn't it the same with sin? How easy can one lie or sin reproduce until it is out of control and you are covered head to toe in your nastiness? I know that when I start my morning off without God it is so easy to get covered in my sin. It all starts off innocently - just an irritation at my kids. But then by the end of the day I have yelled at kids, been unproductive at work and eaten sugar and fast food. Before I know it I live in my filth of my sin. As hard as I try, I struggle to shake it off.

So, in order to remove invasive species you have to spray them down with hot hot water, scrape them and search in every nook and crevice. If you don't get all of them they will continue to spread and the boats will be covered again.

So when I think about cleaning my sin I get discouraged because it is such a daunting task. But I hold to God's promise that He is with me always leading me an guiding me. So I use His leading to remove each sin from my body and my mind. I spray it, scrub it and sterilize it. It can be a long process but I have to hold strong that I can do it and make it through.

Lord remind me daily to cleanse my sin. Show your endless and boundless grace to me. Lead me to you path.

Strength by God

Tonight I got my third tattoo. I can't believe I actually have three of them! I must admit it is addicting. All day I prayed for strength to get the tattoo. I had second thoughts all day. Deep down I knew I needed to be there. I really felt called there. So as Pauli was getting the script for the letters down God entered that room and spoke through me to his heart.

For the next few hours I shared God's love, promises, hope and most importantly His will in Pauli's life. At what point he asked me if God gave me strength when I needed it. I answered truthfully and with confidence when I said YES! I explained God was there each step of my life. Even when I didn't believe He was there. I know, now, God has always and will forever be with me. I may not feel His presence, but I know He is with me always. I just have to remember that He is there ready and willing to help me and give me strength.

So Lord continue to pour out your Boundless Grace and give me strength each time I need it!