In America

Well, here we are again!  Back in the states as a family of 6 this time.  I’m slipping back into the pace of fast living that we are streamlined into every time we return, but I’ve decided I must make conscious rest stops along  the way.  I don’t want to miss what God is trying to show me or ways He is directing me, or people he is putting in my path for me to bless or be blessed by.  So far my eyes still feel wide open.  My prayer is that I’m not lulled into spiritual sleep, as this culture tends to do to me.  Can I remember the me that used to exist primarily in this culture but not pretend I’m still that person?  Can I “fit in” enough to not repel everyone but keep the integrity of continuing to walk down the road of life in Christ that God is leading me on?  I know that by the power of Christ in me the answer is yes.  I refuse to put even a small percent of my hope in cafe’ mochas, climate control, polite strangers, or carpeted floors.  I will not let the god of comfort creep into my heart.  I will claim like Paul “I have learned to be content whatever circumstances I am in.”  I can say this because in my heart of hearts, the place where my worship stems from, Jesus is ALL to me.  I thank Him for the blessings.  I praise Him for the trials.  I love Him because, as the Kabiye people say, “He bought my head”.  He is the only source of life.  He’s proven this to me over and over again and I will not partake of death as if I thought anything in this world held any bit of life within it without it coming from Jesus Himself, the author and creator of the world alongside the Father.

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.  The world and all its peoples belong to Him.”  I love being able to see family and friends.  I love the lilacs and tulips and orchids and evergreens.  I love people who look healthy in their walk with the Lord. And I love spiritual discernment the Lord gives me to recognize the looks of defeat in the faces of others that lead me to pray for them as they’ve allowed the evil one some reign in their hearts these past years since we’ve been gone.  I love holding hands with my husband openly.  I love the delight on my children’s faces at new things they experience and new people they begin to love.  America and Africa.  Two places I love equally for some of the same reasons and for many different reasons.  I’m glad to be here for this season, and I’m so thankful for God allowing us to return to Africa when this season is over.  Please pray for us to be a blessing and to be blessed while we are here, all for the glory of God!