Everything serves God's kingdom. Church work, cleaning, resting, thinking, looking for a place to live. I want to trust and be faithful. It can't always be vacation and adventure. Everyday life is good. Peace and time. Feeling how the world changes. How the kids become independent. Things that used to be important become unimportant. Clutter leaves the house. The apartment will become quite empty in the coming months and years. And I'm so thankful for this place and the financial security. God provides well for us. We don't lack anything. He will also provide for our children.
Staying, that was my motto for this year. Staying at it, staying loyal. In our church. In writing books. In writing my blog. In learning Portuguese and Hebrew. Persevering. Not always searching for new things. And yet finding variety and being creative with what is. Bringing color and music into my life. Trying new ways. Giving little surprises and enjoy receiving them. Accepting joy. Not taking things for granted.
The other day I had a terrible stomach ache and I prayed. The medicine did not help. I couldn't find a pain-free position. Neither lying down on either side nor sitting. There was only one position left: upside down. So I raised my stomach and prayed that Jesus would touch me and heal me like He healed the people in Mark's gospel. And then the pain actually was gone and I was able to fall asleep. This is how God takes care of me! And we also had a harmonious family reunion with (almost) all the relatives. We were able to enjoy the fellowship and no one argued! That was also a gift. Campfire. Bread on sticks. Children playing in the garden. And I got gifts, too. A sweater from my sister and a new pair of jeans from the thrift store: my size, my cut, my favorite brand, a twelfth of the original price. And how much you can enjoy it all without headaches or stomachaches! Receive blessings, give blessings. Cooking. Eating. Listening. Playing. As important as Bible reading and prayer. Walking. Writing text messages. Giving advice. Asking how are you. Writing birthday cards. Making coffee. Cleaning the toilet. Eating ice cream. Preparing a sermon. Doing laundry. Playing the guitar. Sorting through old school supplies. Worrying. Giving up worrying.
I want to live like a bird. Free and carefree. Or like a flower. Without shame and pride. Simply be. God provides. God gives. God forgives. And even when things don't go my way, God is powerful and loving and good. I want to trust and, if necessary, wait for better times. For God always gives life in abundance. Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In me. And for me. And through me. Even when I'm empty - I'm never really empty. Because he lives in me. How lucky I am.
But I´m in the very presence of God - oh, how refreshing it is! (How lucky I am)
I´ve made Lord God my home.
God, I´m telling the world what you do!
Psalm 73:28 (MB)