Smol tok nomo |
Smol tok nomo |
As things get more real I am finding myself with immense feelings of guilt for the family and friends we are leaving behind. There are hard aspects to missions, but I would say at this point feeling responsible for so many people’s sadness is one of the hardest - at least for me. There are parents who aren’t in the best of health, friends who are struggling with their own health or emotional problems and I think “how can I just leave everyone?” It is a hard thing to bear. The one thing I keep finding my self saying (mostly to our parents) is that I am praying God will give them His comfort and His joy. I have said it and prayed it so much and in the back of my mind thought “why does that sound so familiar, like those two things belong together?" It finally dawned on me tonight (I can be slow) that it is a Christmas song! “Oh tidings of comfort and joy.” As I begin to contemplate all of this tonight after a day at church with most of our families that was especially geared toward sending us out, this song resounded with me in a new way. Thinking of the lyrics “God rest year merry Gentleman LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY, remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day… “ Wow this really is tidings of comfort and joy! So when I pray for you or I say to you I am praying for God’s comfort and joy for you, it has actually already come. Here we are leaving at the time of year that we celebrate a tiny gift sent to the world in the form of a baby who would be the Saviour of all mankind! We are leaving at a time when we celebrate the fact that comfort and joy is available to all who will receive this gift. Yes, the gift of salvation is to all who have not received, but the gift of comfort and joy is available to the Christian who is willing to accept it. In spite of our absence, in spite of all the trials you are facing He has come to make comfort and joy available to you. So as your parting gift to me I ask, “will you accept this gift from him?” Will you not allow the enemy to use this to discourage or drag you down, but trust that God has a plan and you are part of it? You are sacrificing as much as we are in that you are missing very important little pieces of your life, a friend, a son, a daughter, a sibling, a grandchild. It is not in Christ’s character to take these from you and not leave you with comfort and joy available. Yes, it is ok to cry and miss us but please allow Him to comfort you as He desires and know it is ok to miss us and be filled with the joy of your salvation at the same time. Rejoice with us that we are sharing this gift with others and we are in the safest place of all - the center of God’s will. That is the mysteries of God, in the middle of what seems like a time of such sadness we can find the unmistakable presence of God overflowing our hearts with such unexpected peace. Oh tidings of comfort and joy!
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AuthorWife, Mother, Missionary, Teacher, Friend ... just a few of the many titles I gladly wear. Never dreamed this is the journey God would take me on. Archives
July 2022
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