Absence...

Teach me Your way, oh Lord, and I will walk

in Your truth. Give me an UNDIVIDED

heart that I may fear Your name.

Psalm 86:11

So, as most of you know, we (LBC) are in the midst of the downhill descent of the Thailand mission trip. Amongst the 242 workers that went to serve East Asian missionaries and their families were, not only co-workers and church leaders, but also some of my closest and dearest friends. Friends that I rarely go more than two days without seeing and speaking to. Friends that mean the world to me. So, needless to say, my life has been quiet and somewhat lonely as of late. But, in the midst of this loneliness, I have found myself learning how to intercede on a more intimate, urgent level. I have re-learned how to talk to God about my problems and cry out to Him alone when I am struggling and just need a friend to listen. And I have strengthened some relationships with friends that, too, are longing to have the team back on the plains.

I had such an encouraging conversation with one of those friends this evening and I can’t even begin to put into words how much I have learned from this friend. She is wise beyond her years and teaches me with her lifestyle and her contagious love for JESUS!! She and I discussed how much we both have really struggled with selfishness over the past few weeks. How we long to, not only be a part of the group, but to hear more updates, to see more pictures, to get more phone calls, etc. What a blessing to hear that I am not the only one that longs for and struggles with these issues. It is our prayer that as we notice this selfishness that we confess it and then turn from it. That our prideful hearts will learn how to truly be excited about how God is working in the lives of those that we love. That we will be grateful for our friends that are willing and available to serve and be used by our King. And, that we will be encouraged by their obedience to follow the Lord’s call on their lives to take the gospel to the NATIONS!!

And then, in all His sovereignty, God placed the 4th verse of the hymn Amazing Grace on my heart and in my head. Those words put all of life for any Christian into perspective.

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures.

He will my Shield and Portion be

As long as life endures.

They say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” But I say, “Absence makes the heart see the importance of not placing one’s hope in other people.” Yes, I miss my friends, but praise the Lord that I have learned the vitality of finding my hope in Christ alone, who alone is worthy! Trust the Lord, my friends, only He sustains and satisfies our hearts! Continue to pray for those in Thailand until March 2. God is doing a work there that only He is big enough to conjure up. He alone is WORTHY of all praise! Oh how I long for the day when I can meet the missionaries that my friends ministered to. Men and women of God that I have prayed for for over a year. One day we will meet at the throne of Christ. Oh how that can’t come soon enough! God is so good…. :)