Finding Treasure in the Word – Appalachia Day 1
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:24
It's embarrassing and frustrating, but sometimes I still struggle to trust God even though I have seen his awesomeness and faithfulness. Why does this happen? I think it's partly because our ways are not his ways, and we just cannot figure it all out. So, when I have questions or prayers that go unanswered, I (too often) bury my confusion deep within the locked chest in my soul where it breeds doubt. I'm so grateful for God's grace and willingness to help with our doubt. I'm consistently amazed by the true treasure of walking with Him as I throw open that locked chest and release my unbelief to Him!
Releasing the Doubt … Finding the Treasure
Recently, I was on a mission trip in Appalachia. It was a great week serving with my 7 year old daughter Lily. Each day built upon the day before and grew more impactful along the way. We had the opportunity to learn, teach, and serve alongside another Mom and her two young daughters plus another participant's child. So, our mini-group (within a group of 40+) consisted of two Mothers, a 6, 7, 8, and 9 year-old girl each day. By Wednesday afternoon (the last day of the trip), it was clear that the week's theme was stretching the adults and teachable moments for the girls – reaching a Mind Blowing display of God's Treasure on our final day!
Day 1 Highlights
During my morning prayer time, God reminded me that, "'whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Matthew 25:40. Then, he prompted me to re-examine Mary and Martha's story … "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” "Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.
That day, our group had plans to serve in the home of a blind couple (Debbie and Mark) in the morning followed by some time at the Boys and Girls Club in the afternoon. Of course, the girls were excited about the prospect of serving that afternoon by playing with kids, but God had different plans. We spent the entire day pretty much being with and listening to our new friends Debbie and Mark. For a not-so-patient, list-making planner/doer like myself, the pace of the day (with a three hour trip helping guide Mark through WalMart and a three hour Braille-Uno game for the girls), was a vast change of pace to say the least.
We did complete some "doing" service tasks – cleaning their bathroom, mopping their floor, mailing packages at the post-office, but most of the day was spent listening and just being the love of Christ. Just being with Debbie and Mark, learning from them, listening to them meant the world to them (and to us). Driving home that afternoon, I realized the deeper treasure God had given me. By speaking to my heart in prayer and through His Word, God had prepared me for the day, planted a seed that grew into appreciation of that day's specific experiences, and removed any doubt regarding his presence in our group. Day 1 … What a treasure!
Day 2 Highlights … Finding Treasure in the Bathroom (yes, I said in the bathroom)
… Stay Tuned!
