I have been completely blown away the past couple weeks by the kindness and love of my friends and family. I can't go into a lot of detail at the moment, but I have to write about what God is teaching me through it all. Two specific lessons stand out:
(1) I read early on in Kailin's little life that "sleep begets sleep." You don't exhaust your child to get them to sleep well; instead, you nap them as needed and put them to bed at a reasonable hour and sleeping will come much easier to them.
So it is in our lives with serving others. My Bible Study group has extended their arms to us and loved us so much lately, in such tangible and practical ways, that I can't help but to want to give it back away. To them, to anybody. It's the exact reaction that Jesus expected from His followers, when He told us to love Him and our neighbors above all other commandments. He loved us so much, and that kind of love begets more love. His kindness led us to repentence--and our kindness will lead others to Him. And sometimes when we see somebody not serving or not loving very well, it's our very natural inclination to not want to serve them or to love them, either. (like trying to keep the kid up late to get them to sleep in). But it doesn't work if you really want things to change. The very people that are least kind or least giving...well, that might just be what they are needing from others to jump start their hearts in the same direction. I am humbled after watching my small group to realize just how poor I can be at serving others in my own life.
(2) God provides. How many times in the past few weeks have I cringed and been unable to see how to get through something. It's like being in a video game trying to get through a castle maze thingy. The animated electronic guy just needs the next treasure to keep going or else his little life is over. If he gets it, he has enough to go find the next part of the maze. That's sort of how I've felt; I just need the next little bit to keep going. But every time I peek my head around the next corner, I can't see a thing--no little treasure. There is NOTHING there. I panic. I'm human. My confidence and perseverance is in critical condition. It's not until I actually walk around that corner and I'm in the room that what I need the most suddenly falls from the sky or materializes where it wasn't before. I thank God for that, knowing He is the giver of all good things. And that treasure has come in a hundred forms--friends visiting, my mother in law, a pick-me-up phone call, meals, an encouraging e-mail, something fun to do, a smile from my kiddos, a couple hours alone, an uninterrupted cup of coffee--always just enough to get to the next room but never lacking. So, thank you small group. Thank you friends. Most of all--thank you GOD.
