“Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34
Adversity, do you have a knack to see it coming before it smacks you in the face? Do you see it coming in your rearview mirror? How do you prepare for adversity? How do you react to the highest of hurdles that present themselves along your journey? When the dim flashes of upcoming problems become brilliant lightning bolts of tragedy into your life, where do you find strength?
Life’s challenges that take us from our comfort zones are somewhat different to an adult living in North America than to a child living in Haiti. We can certainly try to prepare ourselves for such times, but we don’t want to because we would rather not experience these stressful times ahead. While we hope for the best, we also need to prepare ourselves spiritually, physically and emotionally for the worst of times that may catch us off guard.
The children and the old man in the attached photo are in Ouanaminthe, enjoying the shade of the tree in the school yard after lunch; enjoying a time of merriment; a game of patty cake that breaks all language barriers and fills that void with endless smiles and contagious flowing steams of laughter. Enjoying life on this planet under the shade of a tree; together in the shadow of the tree and also together in the shadow of the cross of Christ.
In my preparation for unforeseen problems in North America, and this child prepares for her future challenges in Haiti; together we stand at the foot of the cross, in the shade thinking about why God has placed us here and praying that no matter what happens to us we are always under His care and watchful eye. And, when the days are over and our journeys have been completed, we have the promise of a heavenly home which was prepared for us since the beginning of time.
Until then we labor and continue to do His work, seeking and saving the lost by whatever means He has empowered us. Thank you for being there for them, under that tree, in that shadow, responding to His call by blessing their life with your prayers, your blessings of a feeding program and your encouragement. We all have different callings in our own journey; thank you for being such an integral part of these children in Ouanaminthe.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay