Hearing from God

Oh my....poor Greg is stuck in a place with three females who miss James, Mark and Elisabeth like crazy! I am certain this was the worst "goodbye" ever. They seem to get harder and harder although people tell me they get easier? I've never quite understood how it could ever be easier when they are people we long to be with every single moment. Some people also tell us that it is not "goodbye" but "see you later" but still....no matter how you say it, it ends up being a very long period of time without seeing that person face to face. Hard! Actually, I used to be such a big girl and be strong for the little girls but this one was a doosey! I cried all the way from James' house until we landed in Mexico City...and I am still tearful if you ask me "How are you doing?" or "How was your trip?".

I'm writing all of this out because if someone else is going through this also, I have decided that it's OKAY! It's okay to grieve because this is a loss......this is something huge that we give up. We give up the girls growing up with grandparents, missing their friends and being near James, Elisabeth and Mark. I know all of the positives, no need to remind me. After all, I live here. I know we are supposed to be here and we love the people and we absolutely love sharing a Savior with them but......it's still okay to mourn our losses every now and then. I think it is healthy.

So after  week of crying episodes and finally settling into our routine again, I took the girls to the park in our neighborhood today after homeschool.  I can sit on a bench and watch them ride their scooters and bikes all around me without having to follow them and they are never far away from me, so it is nice.  I was sitting there reflecting on our time in Texas and feeling a little blue when all of the sudden a wave of emotion swept over my body.  Tears started flowing and it was as if I heard the Lord speak to me. I didn't hear an audible voice but I am telling you......He spoke to me and this is what He said, "You asked me to take care of James and Elisabeth, especially Elisabeth when you obeyed this call. I have provided her with not only a man who adores her and will love and honor her for the rest of her days but since you left, I have placed other people in her life as well to love her and show My love to her. Although, you have been through some trials, I have provided your little ones with the dearest Christian woman to work with them and you to help with their sensory issues. I have placed specific prayer warriors in your life to pray for you whenever you need them....some new friends....and some that have returned from days long ago....that was My doing.  I have provided you with a home where you are comfortable, a backyard with a swing set for the girls and a park in your very neighborhood for you to meet people.  All these blessings I have bestowed upon you because you love Me. All these things that you have asked of me, I have given to you."

So I have spent some time reflecting on these thoughts the Lord has given to me. I'm so thankful He didn't let me wallow around in the pool of self-pity but instead He reminded me of all the blessings in my life. He reminded me that He has never left my side nor my children's sides for one minute.  As I look back, each step of the way He has provided and placed just the right people in our path. I remembered the day we left Texas to move to Costa Rica and the complete hope and trust I had in Him to provide in every way for our family.

I listened to a sermon by John Piper during my quiet time this morning. As I was listening, he said this phrase and it made me sit up straight! "The deepest root of womanhood is hope in God". We are so many things to so many people......we are wives, cooks, maids, taxi drivers, care takers, hug givers, kissers of boo boo's, teacher's, counselor's and well...there are so many more.  But are those things the deepest root of our existence? I don't think so.....it is most certainly who we "are" to our families and friends but our deepest most profound root is our Hope in God.  Those who have this hope in the Lord know of the things to come in the future......those who have this hope in the Lord can find comfort in His arms and truly rest.....those who have this hope in the Lord can have a contagious way of giving this Hope to others.  May we all give someone a little Hope today...because the Hope we have to offer is the only way to live:)