I was sitting picturing Jesus next to me the other day, and felt strongly he wanted to show Himself to me as a carpenter. ‘Remember? I’m a carpenter,’ he said. So I watched him and he had some wood and was doing some things, joining the wood together… then, he said, ‘Look, honey,’ to me – and he started painting the wood with honey. Needless to say, I was like, ahhhh what are you doing? He smiled at me. And I felt really challenged, would I sit there and wait and watch Him, did I think this would go anywhere? Did he really know what He was doing? I felt myself going to my brain to diagnose the meaning – what did honey symbolise? What did honey and wood together symbolise, how was this going to come together to be a profound revelation? Hang on a second!! I’m trying to work God out again using my own understanding, my puny little perspective.
Will I trust that He knows what He’s doing when it doesn’t make sense to me at all? When it seems as ridiculous as coating wood with honey? God took us to Niger, I planted myself there, the nation is in my heart now, deeply imbedded. But it was hard, and we need time to refuel. We want to work some things out so we can have a more thriving than surviving experience next time we go. Now He has brought us home, and given us an all consuming task right here; since Brad’s dad has passed away there is a shifted focus. Time and thoughts spent on the farm with all its ongoing tasks, on grief, on supporting family. We have had little contact with you - churches and supporters… little headspace to share experiences of Niger. What is He doing? And what is He wanting from us at this time? Well, I found this image the other day which seemed to sum it up nicely for me. With the desert just behind us, it’s time for a rest and a drink from the West. Maybe it looks indulgent. But it’s what we need, and what God’s inviting us into right now. Thanks for being patient with us.
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AuthorWe are Brad, Andy, Hunter and Belle. Hoping to keep you connected! Archives
May 2019
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