Wow, it is hard to believe it has been 4 years... this family has been a consistent blessing to me and so many others. I am more than thankful for their friendship, encouragement and generosity. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal with this gang or a drive through the mountains looking for an adventure. They have always welcomed me like family, and I am truly grateful. You guys are growing up too fast, but it is a blessing to watch! How they have put up with me this long... is still a mystery :) {I} give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 Thank you Carsons; I will always cherish these sweet memories!
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Real life is not made up of all Instagram worthy moments or consistent emotional highs - if they were constant they would not be called "highs". However, when one peruses over 500 friend's weekly posts of highlights seeing how "good" they look, fun things they did, or things they want others to know - it has the potential to create a false sense of reality or of what reality should be. While there is nothing wrong in it of itself, with comparison can then dwell discouragement, discontentment, or disappointment. Real success is not defined by Facebook likes, magazine-quality photos, or Twitter followers - or at least not by my definition.
Faithful
loyal, constant, and steadfast, having a strong belief, true to the facts or the original.
Over the past few weeks, I have struggled with motivation in the quiet alone moments when out of exhaustion, grief, or brain fog it is easy to desire relief instead of perseverance. Escape may seem more appealing than faithfulness. I know this is not unique to me. Nor is it unique to college students. Neither is nursing school an excuse, for even still when it is over there will be new challenges. And in the moments when things do not "feel good" we must rely on what we know to be true - God's character, His promises, His Word, His righteousness, His holiness, His faithfulness.
Reading a book this past year from the late 1800's by a well known missionary made me think: even then she said that in writing letters home to her supporters she would share the highlights. She would write about 3 who accepted Christ as their savior, one who was baptized, the children she was able to meet with - and do not get me wrong, we should rejoice together and praise the Lord for these things! But this particular time, she wrote about each village, each family, not just the top five "successes" but the time after time their team was rejected, when the door was shut, when they were ignored, when the fathers would not allow her to meet with the children, and of the babies that were sold. She titles the book: Things as They Are. Like the praises, this is also a testimony of her faithfulness.
Watching a close friend of ours with a new little youngster, she has likewise been an example to me of faithfulness. Time and time again putting him to bed, disciplining, cleaning up spills for seventh time, when the balls again get poured across the living room, when parents once again eat a cold meal, there is no glory, no immediate accolades, no recognition, but this is faithfulness. Faithfulness is the unseen early mornings, the uncelebrated or maybe "boring" afternoons, the long evenings working or caring for an aging parent, or of preparation or studying - trusting in pursuit without sight or evidence of success. We joke about the weather here, that it changes constantly - and often that is also true of our emotions. One comment, one class period, one co-worker, one day, one red-light in traffic, or maybe it is many sleepless nights, many hospital visits, or many hurtful words. Even the disciples while walking with Christ were afraid, confused, called out for being faithless, tired, and doubting. If they struggled, how much more so I! {Mk 4:40, 52, 9:19, Mt 17:20, Lk 17:5} By the testimony of my friend Sarah who moved to her heavenly home this week, I am reminded of her faithfulness. She did not give up hope, but also did not waste a moment. In 7 years of battling cancer, whether in losing her hair three times or walking for over two years on crutches, spending months in the hospital or on isolation at home, Sarah exemplified courageous joy and unrelenting strength for so many who she did not even know were watching. I will not quickly forget sitting next to her my first day in ASL class, picking songs to sign together, practicing in class and back-stage, seeing her walk in with her crutches with the biggest smile, her determination to stay caught up in school, and her quickness to share with others how God was always good no matter what. This is faithfulness. Her faith in her Healer was constant, and now she is forever healed!
For "it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:2
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3 Before Christ went to the cross, He address Peter {and the disciples} saying "Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” {Lk 22:31-32} "The righteous shall live by faith." {Rom 1:17, Habakkuk 2:4} Our faith does not rest on man's wisdom, but in God's power {1 Cor 2:5} and likewise, praise the Lord that his faithfulness, does not depend upon ours. {Rom 3:3-4, 2 Tim 2:13} "What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means!"
The pictures above represent stories from Korea, Japan, China, India, Burma, England, Ireland, Scotland, Romania, Russia, Ecuador, and the US ... of faithfulness across centuries, across nations, across youth and the aging, in prison, in heartache, in persecution, in ill heath, in war, in loneliness, in forgiveness, in love, and in passionate burdens. Stories of 6 years of teaching before having a single convert, burying 3 children and wife, caring for abandoned children and spending years on a translation. They are true stories; they are real people. And to these I add Sarah. But even greater than their stories is their GOD; He is a true Foundation, He is our ROCK. What potential do our lives have when we seek "faithfulness" and live "full of faith"? May this be our desire: in every stage of life to trust, to persevere, and to run well.
Well done, good and faithful servant
For Sarah, her journey is finished, and she has finished well! And in my eyes, this is success.
"Well done, good and faithful servant. ... Enter into the joy of your master." Matt 25:21, 23
https://journeywithsarah.wordpress.com/
A few words cannot describe how much you mean to me. I also cannot believe that this is your senior year! Thanks for sharing bunk-beds with me, collecting sea shells together, making tents with sheets and clothespins, sharpening my pencils, and playing duets on the piano. Now you are planning to learn new things, but these things will always be sweet memories to me. Keep seeking Christ and always yield to Him. Love you and praying for you! "...what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 ps.... Thanks for going on adventures with me :) Sunrise was worth it!
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AuthorI will be the first to admit that I am not a writer, but have a sincere aspiration to articulate Truth with grace, in love, seasoned with salt. Here is a journal of sorts, or photo documentations of a journey - one currently around the world in Papua New Guinea working at the Kunai Health Center. Thanks for visiting and your support! Archives
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