Little Reminders & Unexpected Travels

The past few weeks have been hard.  And yet, I have seen God's hand in the people around me who have loved and prayed for me, in God's healing hand, and in God's timing.  I praise Him for continuing to fill me spiritually even though this time hasn't been easy.

Three weeks ago,  I spent time with various kids and adults who had come down with a virus that is going around the Caribbean called Chicunguya.  This virus is one that is passed on by a mosquito and is not deadly, but feels like a very strong flu.  I brought a few kids to the hospital, bathed sick children and tried to help whenever I could.

Not long after, I headed to a women's retreat where the woman missionaries who are a part of SCORE International had a weekend in Jarabacoa (a city about 3 hours from where we live).  The time planning, being spiritually filled, and getting to know each other better was refreshing and the rest was very much so needed.

And, naturally, right when I got back from the retreat and just because of where I live and the amount of mosquitos in that environment, a mosquito got me, and I came down with the virus.  Chills, fever, rash, joint pains, and headache.  You name it, I felt it.  Fortunately, I am okay and not contagious.  

Today, I find myself in the United States.  This trip came as a complete surprise as someone very close to my family passed away unexpectedly last weekend.  The situation is truly sad.  But somehow, I am able to see reasons to be grateful.  First and most importantly, I am thankful that the she loved the Lord and is now home with Him.  I am grateful that she didn't suffer.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to travel to Florida for a week to hug, support and just love some of my closest family friends during a really rough time.  And, I am thankful for God's grace, that during a time when I was feeling homesick, I have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family in both Florida and Georgia before heading back to the Dominican.

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

This week, I have asked God to push the "re-set" button.  I have prayed to feel refreshed and refocused before going back to the Dominican.  And, I praise Him for what He is doing.  While I have only been here for a few days, I can already feel His hand in His comfort, rest, and healing.  I also have had quality quiet time and family time.  Lastly, I thank Him for time to see an American doctor, eat some foods that I have missed while being in the Dominican, and be encouraged by both new friends and old.

With all of my experiences over the last few weeks-- being on a retreat, being sick, and now having a sudden death in the family, I am reminded of the importance of dedicating all of our being to Him --  our time, our resources, our bodies, our minds and even our conversations.   I am reminded of my need to honor Him by resting and taking care of myself as well.  And mostly, I am reminded of the brevity of life. After all, we never know what day will be our last.

Jesus explains to His disciples in Matthew, "so you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.  I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.  But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’  and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?  The master will return unannounced and unexpected,  and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

And then, I was reminded of when Jesus told the disciples a parable about a King who had entrusted much to various people -- some who decided to use it well and others who didn't.  To the group the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.

Yesterday, I sat through a funeral for a seemingly healthy woman who passed away unexpectedly.  She was described as a woman of grace, a daughter who loved the Lord, a Proverbs 31 wife, a sister who cared for her family in need, a mother who taught her family about what it meant to love God, and a friend who was consistent in what she said she believed and how she lived.

As I head back to my new life in the Dominican, I pray that her legacy would live on both through her own daughters' lives and in mine.  I pray that the Lord would remind me continuously that:

He is in control.
and
He is watching.

So...
Live for Him.
Don't waste HIS life.
and
Be encouraged.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Prov. 3:5-6