One glowing with all the things that God has blessed him with… relationships with people on the team that he came with, a calling to be more involved with God’s ministry, experiencing a love and kindness that he wants to give to others… amazing things that he has learned and experienced during and since his time here.
One expressing frustration as she struggles to hear from God; dealing with the regret of feeling like she didn’t fully experience her time here in Gabon.
To be honest I was encouraged by both letters…
The second writer did learn that missions is hard (I second that!) and that she needed God – two huge lessons for those who want to serve Him.
But I think the thing I like about both letters is that they were both learning and growing from their experience here. Sometimes that growth can be a struggle or something that we have to wrestle with.
Have you ever sat back and watched your child struggle through something? A math problem, a puzzle, a video game… you know that the child can do it so instead of helping them you just stand back and watch?
How much wisdom, character, strength, and perseverance are gained through just having to struggle?
exactly what I needed to read, Leannie. a reminder that struggles can bring us closer to Him.
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Good word, Leanne! Here in Rochester, we have a butterfly aviary. You can go in and be surrounded by butterflies and large moths that will land on you as they go about their business. On one wall is a display case where the cocoons of developing butterflies and moths are kept as they mature. One thing I learned there - when you see a butterfly or moth struggling its way out of the cocoon, you could help it out by slitting the cocoon with a knife. Unfortunately, if you do that, the butterfly will never be able to fly. The struggle to get out of the cocoon forces its wings to open and become strong, and without that struggle, the wings will be useless.
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