Have you ever seen the video “Indescribable” by Louie Giglio? In it, Louie explains in great detail how wide and how vast and how far is the universe in which we dwell. And then he brings it back to show that, despite having made all the billions of stars and countless galaxies and even more than we can comprehend, God is still intricately involved in redeeming each and every one of us. Even me. Even you. It is amazing.
Today, I have reflected a lot on God’s perfect will and God’s perfect timing. These are two things that I can truly say I just don’t understand. I believe that God always has our best in mind. Everything He does for me is because he wants my best. Everything He allows in my life – the good and the bad – He allows because He knows HOW it will bring about the best for me. Please let me be clear: I do not believe that God MAKES <what I perceive to be> bad things happen to me, but I do believe that he ALLOWS <what I perceive to be> bad things to happen because out of those things, He will teach me, grow me, mold me, change me. There are things in my life that I look back on and see that He has worked that situation out for my good, even though at the time, it did not seem that anything good could come of it. There are also things in my life that seem “bad” to me and I still have no answer to my unending question of “Why?”. However, even in those times, I trust that He has my best interest in mind. He always does.
After spending the day with Darrel and Kathy and hearing about the journey that God has them on right now in their lives, I have thought so much today about the journey that we have been on to get to Panama. What an amazing thing to look back and see that, although it has been a difficult and bumpy road, God has used each circumstance to teach us, grow us, mold us and change us. I am a different person today than I was two years ago when we started our journey to Panama – and I believe I’m different in a good way! He is good. All the time. Even in those days and weeks that I struggled with Him. Even when I could not understand why He allowed us the struggles that He did. Even when everyone around was just as full of doubt as we were. God was good. God is good. He doesn’t change; our perspective is what changes, but He remains steady and true.
Today was a very, VERY important day in the life of one of my dearest life-friends. There are 4 of us girls who all met in college (A little shout-out here to New Tribes Bible Institute!), became true sisters of the soul and have continued this unbelievable friendship over the past 17 years. (yes, we are old now). There have been trials and struggles, joys and triumphs in all of our lives. We live in different, far apart places and see each other in person only every few years. But the distance has never changed the depth of our friendship. We have walked through the valley of the shadow of death together and we have sung on the highest mountain together. We have mourned together and we have laughed. Oh, believe me, we have laughed. Corrie, Amy and Cora are sisters of my heart. And today was a life changing day for Corrie. And although I sit in Panama and she is in Minnesota, my heart is soaring with joy over all that God has accomplished in her life.
Almost 4 years ago, Corrie and her husband, Jason, took a monumental step of faith and started the process that would ultimately lead to today. They started the process of international adoption. Their precious chosen children were born physically in Liberia, but a half a world away, they were born right into Corrie’s heart. Today is the day they came home to Minnesota. It is a miracle of all miracles and my heart is so overwhelmed for their whole family. And I sit back in awe, once again, at God’s perfect timing.
His ways are always higher than our ways. His thoughts far beyond ours. But He is always right. And He is always on time.
Darrel & Kathy, I have valued this weekend with you. I love you both and cherish the input you have had in my life.
Corrie, you are an amazing woman of God and I am so proud of you for the way you have walked this difficult path that ultimately led you to welcoming Kelvin and Hawa home. My heart sings with yours.
