Riding The Waves
Have you ever been boogie boarding in the ocean? It’s become one of our family’s favorite past times when we get to go to the beach at Coconut Grove in Ghana. During certain times of the day as the tide is coming in, you can wade out a bit from the shore with your hand in the velcro strap of the boogie board and wait for a huge wave to come from behind. You can then jump on your boogie board, stomach and chest down and hopefully ride quickly to shore. The experience I’ve had is that I often think, “This is the wave” and jump only to miss it, or it peters off and I have to stand back up and wait for “THE wave”. Sometimes it is a thrilling ride to the shore with a big crash landing and other times you coast mostly to the spot you want to be and then have to paddle your way to your final destination. I kind of feel like that’s what I’m doing now. Inevitably we are about to make a transition over the next few months and end up somehow in Rwanda. We’re waiting for the wave to jump that will take us to shore. I’m not sure how fast or thrilling the ride will be but I would love for it to take us all the way to shore. My confidence is in this: Jesus is Lord over ALL the earth. He controls the waves and whether we jump a fast and furious one, or a gentle one that only takes us part way, “ …You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5
Trusting Him is the greatest thrill. I know he’ll provide. I just don’t know how or when. I love not having any control and embracing faith instead. Control the waves, Lord. Give us courage. We’re following you.
What Happened Today: This morning we spent 2 1/2 hours at our friendly Islamic grocer’s house over lunch with his first wife and children. We have known them since we arrived in Kara and have developed a friendship with their family. This was the first time they had invited us to their house and we had a good time visiting. The second wife he took about a year and a half ago was on a trip so it made it less awkward. But we still talked a little about it with them. I still hurt for the pain it has caused his first wife who I’ve visited with a lot over the years. This afternoon we had some family worship time and then Elijah and I had a game date after the other boys were in bed. We played some Hangman and Go Fish. Hannah is sleeping over at the Kennells’ house tonight.
Today’s Menu:
Breakfast: corn porridge, juice
Lunch: At our grocer’s house: all sorts of drinks, peanuts, chips, rice balls, peanut sauce with cabbage, spicy tomato sauce with chicken, beef skin, and fulani cheese. Yum! The only hard part to eat was the beef skin which they were sure we would love. It was simply the texture that was the challenge…
Dinner: Latkes (potato pancakes), fruit, lemonade
Becky- I’ve never ridden a boogie board- but an interesting analogy to your life right now. I too know that God has His plan, and that as long as you are listening to and following Him, it will be all right.
It is interesting to hear that the grocer’s first wife was as distressed as those of us who would be shocked at the idea of polygamy. I have often wondered if different expectations would change how a woman would feel- but God did make us to have hearts like His, and exclusive relationship is His idea- only One God, no “secondary gods” , only one spouse…
I will pray for the heart of the first wife, especially. God uses strange things to draw people to Himself sometimes.
Ok- beef skin- as in beef hide?
I didn’t know you had ever been boogie boarding! I admire you that you are content in not knowing what the future holds and that you are trusting God so wholeheartedly to carry you where He wants you to be. I am excited for your upcoming stay in the States, but know it will bring with it a lot of unexpected things.
I cringed a little at the beef skin bit.