I saw a long time friend the other day for the first time in almost 20 years. When we knew each other back then, she was a young married mom with a 2 yr old and I had been married 20-some years. She was very young and struggling with marriage. You know, the meeting-of-the-minds, adjustment part, when you have learn to compromise and consider your spouse? Her husband was struggling with them too, but she's the one who talked to me.
So we talked--a lot. She'd complain, threaten to leave him, and cry. I'd encourage, pray for her and wonder if they'd be all right. They moved to the other end of the state shortly afterward and we lost touch. Well, I found out the other night that they're ok. When she saw me she smiled broadly, hugged my neck and thanked me over and over again for all I did for her back then. She said she and her husband were doing great and if it were not for me, she'd have probably left him a long time ago.
I was stunned. Humbled, embarrassed and stunned. I began wracking my brain trying to remember anything I'd said to her. I couldn't recall a single, specific thing. She then mentioned a book I'd given her, Strike the Original Match, by Charles Swindoll. I remembered reading it and loving the book thinking it had so much down to earth, Christian wisdom, but I didn't remember giving it to her. It's funny, she mentioned it and then said she'd never even read it. So, I thought, well, if she never read that great book, and I couldn't recall any great wisdom I'd shared with her, what happened? What did I do to help?
As I thought about it I realized that our influence as friends is strong--especially we older sisters and brothers--toward our younger Christian siblings. I didn't do anything except be a good friend who listened and cared enough to pray for this couple. In my own immaturity at the time, I had no idea just how important these simple acts were. Being a friend? Caring? Praying for them? Was this ministry? I thought then that real ministry was preaching on the street corners, holding tent revivals, or running a bus route.
I've learned a lot in those nearly 20 years. I've learned there's always time for people. I've also learned when I ask someone how they are doing, to wait for an answer, to care about the answer, and then to respond accordingly. I've learned that prayer does help. It shook me a little to learn how much the simple things in a friendship mean.
Our lives are living testimonies to Christ and our influence spreads further than we ever dreamed possible. It was unnerving to realize the impact my friend attributes to my life on hers. We don't live in a vacuum. Look around with the Lord's eyes. Whom do you influence? Whom are you mentoring?
I love you all.
Suzanne
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
dark glasses and glimpses
When I first began my "journey into maturity," the big M, (read: menopause) I thought it would never end. Gail Sheehy writes in her book, New Passages, about times during the change when one would have "flashes of clarity," when the fogginess of a menopausal brain would lift, energy would return for a split nanosecond and all would be right with the world, if only for a moment. They would show us what would be the norm after all was said and done with menopause. She writes that these glimpses into sanity, these lightening quick shards of normalcy, would be catalysts to help propel us along with hope that better times "they are a' comin." I had some of those wonderful moments when I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and it wasn't a train. I was again a nice, competent, energetic, clear thinking woman. They encouraged me, kept me hopeful and I looked for the day when I would again be myself, only better. These glimpses, these windows into my future, were exciting and gave me peace because I knew that one day, everything would be all right.
Similarly, the other night, a friend shared with me that at his age of about 60 the Lord is calling him in the future to some exciting new things in his life involving a trip to another country far, far away. He doesn't have the full view yet so he couldn't give me any details. All he knows is that the Lord is showing him something exciting about his future and it's good. He can't see it exactly. The glass is dark, but occasionally he catches sight of something wonderful. He asks what he can still do for the Lord. He wonders how the Lord can possibly use him, but because of this short preview and because he knows that God has all the plans, he is hopeful and looking forward to what will take place with Him.
Sound familiar? 1 Cor 13:12 For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me.
I believe this verse applies to many things in our lives, for example; how the Lord works in circumstances we may not understand yet, how things will be in heaven when we get there, and in this case, how the Lord will use us while we live for him now.
God opens up a tiny sliver of light which gives us hope and shows us what will one day take place in our lives for Him. We are encouraged by His speaking to us, yet we are humbled to realize that even though we may not be in our physical prime, we are useful to the Lord in ways we never dreamed possible. For with God all things are possible.
I've had a few of these flashes of insight into my future and they stir my spirit. Like my friend, I don't have many details, but I don't need many. Knowing the Lord has something specific for me to do, even though I don't know exactly what it is, fleshes it out in my heart. Faith makes it full and satisfying. I don't have to know all the ins and outs of what will happen for I have caught a glimpse through this dark glass. Just because I cannot see it clearly, doesn't mean it's not there. Just because I don't have dates, times and events, doesn't mean the Lord isn't planning for me. My heart is full of anticipation at the what future holds with God.
Jeremiah 29: 11-14 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the Lord..."
The Lord has plans for us all. Of course it won't be a foreign land for everyone of us, but rest assured, whatever it is, it will be uniquely exciting and interesting to you. Seek Him. Catch a glimpse through the dark glass. Life with Christ--what an adventure!
I love you all.
Suzanne
Similarly, the other night, a friend shared with me that at his age of about 60 the Lord is calling him in the future to some exciting new things in his life involving a trip to another country far, far away. He doesn't have the full view yet so he couldn't give me any details. All he knows is that the Lord is showing him something exciting about his future and it's good. He can't see it exactly. The glass is dark, but occasionally he catches sight of something wonderful. He asks what he can still do for the Lord. He wonders how the Lord can possibly use him, but because of this short preview and because he knows that God has all the plans, he is hopeful and looking forward to what will take place with Him.
Sound familiar? 1 Cor 13:12 For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me.
I believe this verse applies to many things in our lives, for example; how the Lord works in circumstances we may not understand yet, how things will be in heaven when we get there, and in this case, how the Lord will use us while we live for him now.
God opens up a tiny sliver of light which gives us hope and shows us what will one day take place in our lives for Him. We are encouraged by His speaking to us, yet we are humbled to realize that even though we may not be in our physical prime, we are useful to the Lord in ways we never dreamed possible. For with God all things are possible.
I've had a few of these flashes of insight into my future and they stir my spirit. Like my friend, I don't have many details, but I don't need many. Knowing the Lord has something specific for me to do, even though I don't know exactly what it is, fleshes it out in my heart. Faith makes it full and satisfying. I don't have to know all the ins and outs of what will happen for I have caught a glimpse through this dark glass. Just because I cannot see it clearly, doesn't mean it's not there. Just because I don't have dates, times and events, doesn't mean the Lord isn't planning for me. My heart is full of anticipation at the what future holds with God.
Jeremiah 29: 11-14 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the Lord..."
The Lord has plans for us all. Of course it won't be a foreign land for everyone of us, but rest assured, whatever it is, it will be uniquely exciting and interesting to you. Seek Him. Catch a glimpse through the dark glass. Life with Christ--what an adventure!
I love you all.
Suzanne
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
my girls and Jamaica
The Jamaica missions trip is approaching quickly! We leave on Feb 23 for Content Gap, Jamaica and the City of Refuge Children's Home. I'm very excited about this trip because I hope to meet my new little girls. I began this year sponsoring 3 young girls who are living at the home.
The eldest girl, on the center left, is Crystal. She will be 8 yrs old in May.
Her sister, Denise, is at the top right and she will be 5 yrs old in Oct.
The baby is not related to the other two girls, but little Abigail, will turn 2yrs old in June 08.
Total cost for taking care of each child at the home is $150 a month but sponsorship can be established for as little as $25 per month. The children's home breaks it into smaller increments so more people can know the joy of helping a specific child in need. I'm looking forward to writing letters, sending gifts and communicating with each child.
When I received my packet with the photos last week, my heart melted. I wasn't expecting to be moved quite as much as I was. Yes, I knew the girls were in need, and I expected them to be as cute as buttons, but what I didn't expect was to be hit with such a loving sense of commitment to them. These are my girls, and they just happen to live at the top of a mountain at a children's home in Jamaica.
We've met many missionaries over the last year who are involved with the helpless, desperate children everywhere. The Puffpaffs in Jamaica, the Dickinsons in Africa and the Grants in India are only three of many wonderful missionaries spending their lives so wisely for the Lord taking care of our orphans, our fatherless, and our enslaved children all over the world. In Psalms 68:5-6, God promises to be a father to the fatherless, to set the lonely in families and lead the prisoners forth with singing, and we are His hands extended. I am so happy He chose these little girls to set into my family.
I love you all.
Suzanne
Her sister, Denise, is at the top right and she will be 5 yrs old in Oct.
The baby is not related to the other two girls, but little Abigail, will turn 2yrs old in June 08.
Total cost for taking care of each child at the home is $150 a month but sponsorship can be established for as little as $25 per month. The children's home breaks it into smaller increments so more people can know the joy of helping a specific child in need. I'm looking forward to writing letters, sending gifts and communicating with each child.
When I received my packet with the photos last week, my heart melted. I wasn't expecting to be moved quite as much as I was. Yes, I knew the girls were in need, and I expected them to be as cute as buttons, but what I didn't expect was to be hit with such a loving sense of commitment to them. These are my girls, and they just happen to live at the top of a mountain at a children's home in Jamaica.
We've met many missionaries over the last year who are involved with the helpless, desperate children everywhere. The Puffpaffs in Jamaica, the Dickinsons in Africa and the Grants in India are only three of many wonderful missionaries spending their lives so wisely for the Lord taking care of our orphans, our fatherless, and our enslaved children all over the world. In Psalms 68:5-6, God promises to be a father to the fatherless, to set the lonely in families and lead the prisoners forth with singing, and we are His hands extended. I am so happy He chose these little girls to set into my family.
I love you all.
Suzanne
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