Our trip to Uganda is quickly approaching, and I've been trying to take some time away from all the busyness and my very long to-do list to enjoy the blessings that God has already given us and spend some extra time with our son.
Speaking of enjoying blessings...a few days ago, I ate the first fruits (i.e. two peaches) from the fruit tree we planted in our backyard last year. :) Those peaches were so sweet and juicy, truly some of the best I've ever tasted! As I ate those peaches, I couldn't help but remember standing out in the hot sweltering heat of mid-summer last year making sure they got their necessary watering every day. And since the tree was a Mother's Day present, it led me to think about how important it is to keep our little ones nurtured, so that they can grow big and strong, and one day we will see the fruits of our labor.
After all, isn't that what parenthood is all about? A labor of love, even in the midst of sweltering heat, patiently (and in my case, sometimes not so patiently) watering and nurturing and waiting for the fruit we cannot see yet. Even after we see the first fruits of our labor, we must continue to water and fertilize and pluck the weeds, so that the harvest will be plentiful.
And isn't that just what the Lord does with us? As we abide in Him, He continues to water and fertilize and pluck the weeds, so that we will be fruitful and His harvest will be plentiful. John 15:8 says, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." I have to say, much of this process has included plucking my weeds (which I hope will result in more fruit)! When I am under high stress and time constraints, my weeds really tend to show...just like my yard does in the hottest part of summer when it's thirsting for nourishment and the only green you see is that of the weeds! Sadly, while I've been doing what the Lord has called us to do, I haven't taken as much time as I need with Him to stay nourished. And in doing things in my own strength, He has shown me the many weeds that still reside in my sinful heart, as I am still a work in progress. Thankfully, the Lord doesn't leave us where we are, but stretches us and grows us to where He wants us to be!
One of my "weeds" has been not fully appreciating the blessing of our son, who is VERY active and VERY much three years old and STILL learning the ways of this world (which I sometimes tend to forget), not to mention he's feeling all the change that's going on around him. At the same time, I tend to run on "auto-pilot" like a machine to "get the job done" when I'm under high stress and time constraints (not that those are excuses for my sin), and that mindset doesn't usually lead me to count my blessings or have a meek and quiet spirit. (Those who know me know that being meek and quiet is not my natural inclination anyway, but thankfully, by God's grace, He has been working to pluck this weed!) Suffice it to say, I haven't been "appreciating" all that life has to offer living with a three year old. :-/
Yet, so often, I find that it's through the eyes of a child that you see the wonders of God's work!
After eating the juicy, sweet peaches, we headed out to enjoy the beautiful day at our local beach by the lake. We've really been enjoying swimming this summer, as our son has been learning to swim, and it's been nice for me to take a breather and have some bonding time with him...not to mention playing in the sand! We had a great time building a race track (no sand castles for us!), and then I sat back and basked in the moment, fully enjoying and appreciating this amazing blessing that God was so gracious to give us. :-)
And now again, on Father's Day, I am counting my blessings that God gave me such a wonderful, godly man to call husband and friend, who has been an incredible father and spiritual leader for our family! I also thank the Lord for my own father, who has always been so loving and supportive and giving whenever I or anyone in our family has needed him! But above all, I am eternally grateful for my Father in Heaven who rescued and adopted me into His family; He is the most trustworthy, loving, merciful, faithful, gracious Father I know!
Which is why it pains me to say that as our trip nears, I must confess that I'm growing more anxious, mainly because I'm a planner and like to know what to expect, especially when I have children with me. While I am eager and definitely excited to meet Eli and Tabitha, to go to Uganda, and to see what God is doing there, the unknown sometimes makes me anxious and a little fearful, all at the same time. When God initially put us on this journey, I knew it was going to take me way out of my comfort zone, and needless to say, I'm starting to feel uncomfortable as we prepare to leave. But feeling this way means I've taken my eyes off of Him, making this about me and not Him, and yet, my desire is for this to be all about Him! Because, as I said before, He is the most trustworthy, loving, merciful, faithful, gracious Father I know, and I know that we are in His care and whatever happens has been filtered through His hands!
So please pray that the Lord would remove my unbelief, my unfounded anxiety, my frustrations, and replace them with fruits of the Spirit. Pray that we would be kind, flexible, patient, and gracious with all those we encounter on our trip and each other, so that others will see the light of Christ in us.
Pray that we would be bold witnesses for His Kingdom with everyone we meet, and His hands and feet while in Uganda. Lastly, pray that I (we) would continue to praise the Lord and remember the splendor and majesty of His work, even when I'm (we're) uncomfortable, and remember that the work of His hands are faithful and just, and He is gracious and merciful. And praise God that He reminded me of this as we read Psalm 111:1-9 during this morning's worship service!
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10
What a blessing it is to call Him "Father"!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE ULTIMATE AND GREATEST
OF ALL FATHERS!!!
To Him be the Glory!
