God's Encouragements via Friends

Even though I feel we are progressing fairly smoothly through this time of adjustment, transition, and uncertainty, God knows our deepest needs even when we sometimes cannot identify them. This past week, we received our very first piece of mail, a greeting card, via our post office box. Besides a wonderful hand-written note of encouragement and assurance of prayer, it carried the verse, James 5:16, “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” Even as I read the card to Laura, the tears welled up in my eyes. Thank you, Lord, You, as a prayer answering God, remain the same through the transition mazes which sometimes leave us feeling helpless and unable to do anything significant or helpful.

And then, the next day, an email came from a friend who used to serve with her husband and family in Kenya. She shared her thoughts gleaned from Genesis 35 which she had read that day…thoughts about various “losses” which Jacob sustained but which were then replaced by God with “gains.” She correctly assumed we would be feeling the weight of some of our “losses” as we transition from the Philippines to Uganda and wanted to assure us that God would replace those “losses” with gains. Quite unexpectedly the tears started flowing again…yes, I was missing the familiar and feeling weary of constantly dealing with new and unknown. Thank you, Lord, that you are so gracious and faithful—You faithfully replace the things you choose to take away with even better gains…in Your time. (And in fact, He is already doing that.)

Later that same day, we joined the WorldVenture ladies for an afternoon tea. Our hostess made name tags and chose a verse for each of us. She asked us to read the verse and share whatever we’d like. My verse was one God gave me fairly soon after He had confirmed His will to transition to Uganda, Isaiah 41:9-10, “You are my servant. I have chosen you and not rejected you. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you—yes, I help you—yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!” What a timely reminder! Thank you, Lord, that You Who have chosen me, as amazing as that thought is. You are my almighty God Who promises to be with me, to strengthen me, and to hold me…and You always keep your promises. And Thank You for friends who journey with us and encourage us, using Your Word.