I’m in a new place today. Attitude-wise. I’ve been reading in Jeremiah in the Old Testament and for the last 28 chapters it’s been a little on the discouraging side. God is angry w/ all the people and Jeremiah keeps trying to warn them that destruction is coming but they couldn’t care less. Then all the sudden I’m into chapters 29 and 30. So much hope!!! In the Message version of the scripture it says, “ As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out –plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for…..I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from the countries into which I drove you, bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.” How amazing is that. If I could just focus on this instead of the internet chat-boards of who got out of PGN and when and submission dates, I’d do a lot better down here! In addition to these chapters, Russ has me reading a new book he got from a friend. It’s an amazing story of a man in China who is just serving the Lord like crazy throughout the craziest times. In this part of the book I read yesterday, he’s in prison serving a 7 year sentence and was able to send out messages to his friends and family from time to time. Here’s one of his messages, “ God has sent me to witness in this place. There are many people here who need Jesus. I will be in this prison for exactly the length of time God has determined. I won’t leave one moment early and I won’t stay one moment too long. When God determines my ministry in prison is complete, I will come out. “ And according to God’s plan, he only served a little over 7 months of that sentence. 7 months and 7 days to be precise.
God does have a plan. How have I been so leary of believing that? He always does and always will. He hasn’t forgotten about me down here. On the contrary, I’m part of some plan for Him and it wouldn’t be perfect any other way. How else would you explain how I got “stuck” living in a third world country w/ such a messy adoption case? God is a tricky one, I’m a little giddy wondering what He has up his “sleeves”.
so are you going to write a book :) you're amazing katie, keep writing...emh
ReplyDeleteFine...why don't you just encourage me already!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, awesome Katie. I highly recommend The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, who, like the guy in China, was imprisoned and ministering at the same time. I think that he, however, spent a decade or two waiting for God to "end his ministry." It is very encouraging (and you've probably already read it).
ReplyDeleteHehe, and to echo the other two posts, you are an insane encouragement. God is infinitely more faithful than we are, but he knows.
OMG, Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite scriptures and I do believe its The Heavenly Man you are talking about which is one of my favorite books. Both are very encouraging. How amazing. I love you dear! Take care.
ReplyDeleteWhat an encouraging post! God DOES have amazing things in store for you and your family! And I just have to say that the pic of you and El is my absolute favorite so far!! So much love shining through! We love you and feel so connected to you guys through this blog!
ReplyDelete~Katie (& Matt) Schaefer
AMEN, and AMEN. I hear ya, girl -loud and clear. As the song says, "I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on; and there will be an end to these troubles, But until that day comes - Still I will praise You, STILL I WILL PRAISE YOU". Keep on keepin on!
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