Growing in obedience
A month has flown by since we traveled home from Belize. We are so grateful for our time there. We came home feeling encouraged and ready to get to work on our next trip (after a time of rest, of course). Every trip we have grown more - spiritually, in relationships with others, in trusting God. One of my goals for this last trip was to let go of control (trying to get a certain outcome) and see God at work. I struggle with perfectionism…which can lead me either to inaction or to working so hard to get something to turn out how I think it should be. Neither of those truly serve God or show my trust in him. I wanted to be able to do the challenging things this trip as well as allow his perfect, sovereign plans to unfold however he saw fit. And while I am somewhere on a very long “work in progress” line, I was able to let go and give God permission to be in control. And did everything “feel” like it was perfect or effective or life-changing? For sure not. But in that I realize I must choose to believe he is working all things for good, that he is doing things I cannot see, and he is fully in charge of the results. If I am obedient to what he has asked of me, then he will produce whatever results he wants to. If that isn’t freeing, then I don’t know what is.
This week was the first of our monthly leader connects, the Leader Hub Gathering - virtual times for ministry leaders to join together to build one another up. Our prayer is that as leaders, serving in different countries and cultures and languages, come together for times of encouragement and training, that the body of believers will be edified and equipped for every good work. We are committed to walking alongside these men and women and we believe this resource is one way we can do that in a tangible way throughout the year. Many pastors shared about discouragement they face, and we were able to go to scripture together to seek Truth and “build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We’re so grateful God has given us a platform to be able to celebrate the ways he is moving and speaking to people from all over.
Our oldest daughter, Eden, started preschool this month. It’s such a joy to have watched her grow into the young girl she is - so bright and cheerful, full of life and love. She has been excited to meet new friends (truly, this girl is just like daddy - in many ways - but she has no fear of asking kids to be her friend). I learn a lot from this precious girl and am excited for her new journey. It will give us some one-on-one time with Livi, too…which might make me a little nostalgic of the time I had with Eden. Each season is sweet and I’m thankful God has displayed his goodness and glory in every aspect of them all.
This is the verse I pray over our girls, that they may fully surrender their lives to him - that they may trust him in the midst of all circumstances, even when they don’t see or feel or understand….they will know that God is who he says he is and they can trust him with their lives.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6