Wednesday, June 14, 2017

What He didn't promise ...


Today marks 7 months that we have been living in Costa Rica.

It has been unlike anything we have ever done before.

Not only have we felt The Lord's presence more than ever before, but we have seen Him first hand as "The God Who Sees" as He has kept every one of His promises to us in this season.

His promise to protect.

His promise to provide.

His promise to strengthen.

His promise to sustain.

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In the last 7 months, we have also come face to face with the reality that there are things that The Lord never promised us.

He never promised that obedience would come without a cost.

He never promised that life with Him meant life without grief or suffering.

He never promised that we would live a life of comfort.


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We have had days that have been just plain ugly.

We have questioned ourselves, doubted The Lord, and felt so isolated & alone.

We have missed birthdays, family cookouts, and other exciting events with our nieces & nephews that we can't get back.

We have been thrown into a culture that is totally different from what is "normal" for us.

We have been humiliated & frustrated as we have done our best to communicate and make life happen day-to-day here.

We have both had days (thankfully not at the same time) when it seemed easier just to quit & go back home.

What we have decided to do as a family is by no means easy.

It is the hardest thing we have ever done ... and we know that it is only going to continue to be hard.

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The last five days have been the hardest days we have had as a family since we left home in December.

Heavy hearts, tons of shed tears, & raw conversations.

Our home church family in SC is grieving the sudden loss of an incredible man.

While we are a world away, our hearts are there grieving for their family & everyone at our church that was impacted by Mr. Larry's legacy of love.

We want so badly to be with our family & friends today as they celebrate and remember the life of a man who touched so many of our hearts.

If we ever felt like getting on a plane to go home, it was definitely this week.

Moments like these make the reality of being away from home SO real.

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But ... this week has made the reality of the Gospel SO real.

There is not a single person alive right now that is promised even the next moment of their life.

As we have all heard before, "We aren't promised tomorrow".

At any second of any day, our time could come to an unexpected end ... leaving our loved ones behind facing grief & suffering.

And apart from the Gospel, there is no hope in the midst of grief & suffering.

There is no comfort found without discovering the true source of peace that passes understanding.

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THIS is the reason why we made the decision to GO.

Because there is a hurting world out there that needs to hear the message of hope that Mr. Larry carried in his heart.

Because Mr. Larry had that assurance, his family, loved ones, friends and church family now have assurance that one day they will be reunited with him.

Each new day, they do not have to see it as one more day apart from him.

They have the power & confidence because of the Gospel to believe that they are one day closer to seeing him again.

And that is a promise that we DO have in Christ!




Lord, we thank you for the reminder this week for the reason we have decided to GO.  While it hurts to be away & our hearts long to be home, we know that you will bring comfort to us and strengthen us to continue to carry out the works you have had planned for us from the beginning.  Renew our spirits, remind us of your purpose for our lives, and reveal to us what needs to change in order for us to be used more by You.   In Jesus' Name,  Amen.