There is nothing like a little Keith Green to get me back in God’s frame of mind.
Stephen and I have had some trying days, as he has spent his days 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM with the mechanic. The time starts with 3 hours on the bus in rush hour traffic, includes the heat of the city, and ends with the same rush hours with other people who cannot wait to get out of Managua.
I have spent days at home, doing laundry or cooking, or taking the bus into Granada for Spanish classes, Bible studies, and trips to the market.
The weather has been warmer than usual due to very high humidity. The temperature has been in the low 90s, but with the humidity they say it feels more like 105. I can vouch for the feeling!
All that to say that with the present situation, the news of the shooting in Oregon, and breaking my favorite can opener (the straw, but definitely a minor issue), have all come into a pile in my mind of discouragement.
Yesterday when it appeared that I was on my own for Bible study with our neighbors, meaning that I got to cook dinner, make a cake, do the grocery shopping, prepare the kids program and the adult study, and clean up at the end, I had a bit of a pity party. Does anyone else do this?
The idea might have been planted by a message from our pastor at Cedar Mill Bible Church, the importance of singing and worship; God’s call to plant His truths in our hearts. There is something about hearing the words to songs like “Make My Life a Prayer to You” and “I’ll Take Care of the Rest” that have changed what I focus on.
This week, I had a wonderful Bible study time with my Spanish teacher in the air conditioned gas station minimart with “Uptown Funk” and “Happy” playing in the background.
Yesterday, I had a conversation with a manager in grocery store about the difference between Christian and Jehovah Witness beliefs. He wants to spend more time with Stephen and I.
Last night, all the details for the Bible study came together very well. We sat around laughing, talking and eating, 13 kids wedged on our couch watching a video about the Bible while the adults discussed the truths of Scripture. All of that topped off with hugs and goodbyes by our precious neighbors.
And finally on a lighter note, who wouldn’t enjoy watching the fun that a kitten can have with a plastic chair and a quarter
So for this moment I choose to not focus on the laundry, the heat or the car, but on God’s work in the midst of it- the eternal things!
Wow! It does sound like in the midst of Satan’s efforts to discourage you, God was at work and He triumphed! Good job to you too! It’s so exciting when those conversations happen. I find so often I don’t have the words to bring the topic of faith around into conversations with my neighbors like I want to. Any tips for me there? Blessings and protection over you dear sister!
Monique