One of those days

One of those days where nothing seems to be going right and every time you turn around there is more bad news....definitely one of those days.

.....news that the caregiver of a 19 year old girl with cerebral palsy that we support will no longer be providing care because she is afraid of the controlling gang in that area

.....news that the church landlord, who lives in the US, is in town and is thinking of asking us to leave the building because he wants to use it for his family

....news that the controlling gang in a neighborhood that we minister to will no longer be allowing people in to evangelize

.....news of a possible abuse situation in the church

....pulling up to our house only to witness a gang member dragging a man down our street and smash his head against the electrical post in front of our house

And all of this before 9:30am!!

There are times when I am weak and overwhelmed. I dream of what it would be like to live in the US again where my life was safe and more orderly.  I want to enjoy the fall season and spend my Saturday baking an apple pie, drinking hot cider, or visiting an orchard.  I quickly shake those thoughts from my head because that is not where I am now, and it is not my current reality.

What is my reality? Staring at the words of my Bible study book, Scripture that reads,

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Pure joy? My feelings this morning are anything but pure joy. More like, go hide under the covers and whine, kind of feelings. But, the more I meditate on scripture, the more I am strengthened.  He renews my strength so that I can walk...so that I can run.  Perseverance is being developed and I carry on.

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."           Isaiah 40:31 

 My eyes are drawn to a final scripture, one I am sure I have read a million times. A little one that lies in the middle of a bigger story.  One that I am sure that I will never overlook again.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

I too am a little one that lies in the middle of a bigger story...the greatest story. The saving of many lives.  I love the words of Jennie Allen:

"Our lives are a breath, so if we are here for just a minute, I'd like my one little breath to feel more like a mighty gust of wind.  And that takes surrender.  It takes perseverance and not wasting my minutes away on Facebook or complaining. The apostles walked away from painful persecution, 'rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering." (Acts 5:41)