It's Not Africa, but. . .: So many thoughts

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

So many thoughts

Life and Death

I have been reading so many blogs lately on people who are struggling with such huge tragedies in their lives. . .infant loss, cancer, premie babies, infertility, sick children. . . . and yet in almost everyone that I have read, God has been given the glory. . . . people are not saying hey I am fine with this circumstance, but they are saying, I hate this, but I love and trust God through it. . .. I think that is overwhelming and powerful and makes my life of little sleep seem downright pathetic. I pray that I have the grace and faith these ladies have as I walk through the good and bad in life.

The humor, honesty and faith behind each person as they tell their story in their own words is so incredible. Are they hard to read? Yes. Does they make you cry? Yes. Do you have a greater appreciation for your kids, your life, your spouse, your health, your God? YES YES YES! These people have an enormous ministry as they share their journeys of grief, hope, life and death.

I think of my own life. . . . I have truly been blessed beyond measure. I have a wonderful husband, 2 healthy, beautiful children, a crazy dog, a house, a good job, great family and a God who is gracious and merciful and loves me in spite of me.

One blogger wrote as she watched her 2 week old son struggle to live, (paraphrased) "I would give anything to have sleepless nights, just to be able to hold my son and have him not hurt". . . . wow-that hit me hard since me chief complaint in life lately is that I get so little sleep. I realized how selfish I can be in my attitude about life and how I think everything revolves around me. Not a fun thing to admit. . . very humiliating actually. There are so many people who would give anything to just have a healthy baby at home-who cares about sleep!

So, my resolution is to really cherish the life that I have. . .the good and the bad. I want to have the faith that I see in those around me who are going through such awful circumstances. . . I want to involve God in my life on a more daily basis.

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Why It's Not Africa, but. . .

After our family decided to work on the mission field in the USA and more specifically the midwest (where Mark & I grew up and currently live), I decided to journal our story.

I began by writing how God directed our steps into this not so typical mission field and how as a kid I thought if you were a missionary, you went to Africa. I wrote, "It's not Africa, but young people in America are in crisis."

The phrase It's Not Africa, but. . . just stuck in my head and hopefully gets and keeps people's attention for two reasons. First, I hope that people will follow our journey. Secondly (and most importantly), I hope that it will serve as a reminder. A reminder that while we definately need to continue to reach out to other countries, we have a huge need here in the US to share the hope and life that Jesus offers to our family, friends and neighbors.