Linaewen's Lake of Small Birds

I'm in the midst of writing an article for a newsletter about some of the transitions I've been going through over the past couple of years, and how I have coped with God's help. It's interesting to look back and see where I've been and how far I have come, and it's encouraging to see some of my prayers answered. But it's also a bit scary, because even though I have faith that it's going to turn out all right eventually, I still find myself asking that question -- Why? Why did it have to happen? Why did it have to work this way? Why me? And the big one, why is this taking so long? Then, once I start asking these questions, I find myself thinking of the harder questions, the doubtful questions -- Are you listening? Do you see my struggle? Do you see how my friends are struggling? Why are you not listening? And if you are listening, then what are you waiting for?

Well, I got an answer to all this, before I had barely even asked the questions. Interestingly enough, we got an email a few days ago, one of these that comes every week with articles about faith and such -- I don't always read them, but this one caught my eye today, and so I read it.

How does God do that, anyway?!?! :-D An article that was sitting in my inbox for several days unread is just what I needed to read today!

Here it is, if you are interested:

( When God Goes on Leave of Absence )

... with a bit of asparagus thrown in.

I read a devotional today about how each day God gives us a different "plate" of food. Sometimes it's an Oreo day, where our plate is filled with Oreos -- that kind of day is nice to have now and then, when everything goes right, and we enjoy what life brings. But other days, that plate seems to be full of other stuff -- like all the vegetables we dislike most. It's hard to swallow what's on our plate on those days, no matter how much we tell ourselves it is good for us! But that's just it, it's good for us to have vegetables -- without them, we'd grow weak. We can't live on Oreos alone, and if we tried, we'd eventually no longer appreciate them. There's something about certain vegetables that helps us see the Oreo with different eyes. The best kind of meal is the balanced one, with a bit of the tasty stuff, along with a small helping of the other kind -- that's the kind of meal that makes us strong.

To apply the story, yesterday I started out with a plate full of the most dismal kind of vegetable, and I was having a hard time swallowing it. But I did my best, and before I knew it, that plate had been replaced with the tastiest kind of goodies. I ended up having a great day yesterday, of doing things that were enjoyable yet productive, in spite of the way the day started out. Now I'm not out to try to get everyone else to suddenly love their vegetables -- I just thought it was a fascinating analogy that really applied to what I was struggling with. I love it when that happens! :-D

I am praying for another day like that today. I don't mind a few vegetables, if I grow strong by eating them. But an Oreo a day is a good way to make those veggies taste better.

Actually, I kind of like asparagus....

Oh, and GIP. ;-)

My project today at the office was compiling and writing a bulletin of prayer to be distributed to those who support the work our mission in the world. This is something I do every month. Sometimes it is enjoyable, as I read about all the different ministries that go on it the world, some of them involving people I consider members of my family.

But other times it is hard -- as it was today -- as I read of people's struggles in dark places of the world, where they are in danger and despair.

My little book is coming in handy today, for I read another quote that helped me see things aright:

"The upward look gives no ground to the attempted encroachment of despair... a quick lifting of the heart to God in a moment of real actual faith in Him will completely alter any situation and turn the darkness of midnight into glorious sunrise." (Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)

And that's an encouraging thought! ;-)

This is a favorite passages of mine; it was always encouraging to me when I was worrying about traveling internationally, waiting for visas to enter or leave Pakistan, driving on impossibly dangerous roads...

I still do a lot of coming and going these days, especially this week; since I am feeling the need for this encouraging word today, I put this up for myself:

( Psalm 121 )