Dear Friends,
It has been a while since we have chatted. During the holidays I just didn't have a lot of time to write, and for that I am sorry! We did have a great time spending time with family and friends trying to soak up every moment that we had with them, knowing that this season is quickly coming to an end as we look to go on our mission soon.
It was also an eventful 1st week to 2011 for our team. We were informed that one of the other couples that had been comissioned to serve with us was going to step away from our team; in order to accomplish some other personal goals before going overseas. This has brought up a mix of emotions for Renee and I. We were nervous, sad, dissapointed, and concerned for our friends and co-laborors. I had a chance to talk with the rest of our team mates, inculding the couple leaving; we were all working through similar feelings.
As I contemplated all these events, I began to pray a read scripture. I began asking God what He was planing. I was taken to a familar passage in Romans (coincedentaly) 5:3-5 says:
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
I love that we can rejoice or have glory in our sufferings, and while the loss of our team member is not what most would consider "suffering" it is never the less a loss for our team. And God is building into our team perseverance, character, and hope. So while I am saddend by this trial (as some texts translate suffering) I still have hope that God is building us up for His perfect will for our team. We can take joy in the fact that He is perfecting us and while that process can be painful, it is always for the better!
No comments:
Post a Comment