Common Sense – Profit from the Past

Wisdom gleans from past experiences and applies the fruit of those experiences to the present, knowing that these present experiences are further preparations for the future.  I believe this so deeply to be true.  My upbringing, my joys, sorrows, accomplishments, trials, and challenges were gifts given to me to prepare me for where I am now and where I am headed in this life.  Somewhere, someone can learn from my experiences, the same as I have learned from the journeys of others.  I believe this is how the mystery of Romans 8:28 works.  Because we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him, for those who are called to His purpose.  Now, some of these experiences don’t always feel good at the time we are experiencing them, but if we are called to God’s purposes, that is, we are choosing to say “yes” to God, then we can and we will reconcile all of our life experiences according to Scripture to be part of the process by which God fulfills this promise to us.

What a beautiful thought.

All those sleepless nights,
the lonely times,
the dry times,
the lean times…
coupled with all the peaceful moments,
times of fellowship,
and financial blessing
times of plenty…
all of it bringing us into a state of balance
testing us,
trying us,
helping us make sense of it all,
turning our hearts to worship as we continue to say
“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord.”

“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”  –Corrie ten Boom

“Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future”  –Corrie ten Boom

I have a feeling that Mother Guerin and Corrie ten Boom are having some sweet fellowship in heaven.  It’s like they were inspired by the same Spirit or something!

When it’s all been said and done pt.2

Continued from Part One

Our time here has been one disappointing closed door after another, including but not limited to being unemployed, fractured family dynamics, and fruitless attempts to get back home where we both can work and try to get back on our feet.

BUT, it’s also been an exciting faith walk (not to be confused with the cake walk), of total dependence on God.  On numerous occasions, we’ve watched Him provide money when we were down to our last dollar, food when the cupboard was all but bare, and sweet streams of refreshing and comfort when we were tempted to believe God had forgotten us.

We’ve been on the receiving end of harsh, judgmental attitudes of misguided, self-righteous individuals; as well as sincere Christian charity from God’s people who take Matthew 25 seriously.   We have found God’s love and provision in places that many self-proclaimed christians (with a little “c” on purpose) would be embarrassed to frequent.  We have been humbled and tried in the furnace of adversity, and we are in the process of learning to love as He loves and forgive those that have wronged us, leaving our offenses in the hands of the One who has the right to repay, the One who defends and delivers His own.

We are now at what feels like the tail end of our stay here.  Our household items are all being stored until we have the funds to move us all back to the U.S.  We are receiving word after word encouraging us to look up, and see our deliverance; to believe without seeing that our victory has already been given to us, and to thank and praise God for the work He’s done.  Reminders of His love and faithfulness come numerous times in the day, and as my mind continues to meditate on the lyrics of this song, I know, deep down, it’s been worth every step.  Worth every heartache.  It’s been growth, and it’s been for Him and His glory.

Lord, your mercy is so great, that you look beyond our weakness,and find purest gold in miry clay, making sinners into saints.  I will always sing your praise!  Here on earth, and ever after, for you’ve shown me heaven’s my true home, when it’s all been said and done, You’re my life when life is done.

…Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for You?