Every good and perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who
does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
This past week God has just been so gracious to me. There are times in your life that you trust God’s goodness sometimes just by the sheer fact that His very nature is good and you know He doesn’t change. And then there are other times where you are just smacked in the face with His goodness-the times His hand is just so evident in your daily life.
Here are a few ways He has shown me His goodness within the past week:
1.) Well, as I have already announced on the blog, I am going to Mozambique for two months! The craziness of how this has all unfolded this past week has left me a little dazed. Returning to Mozambique has been something I have wanted to do ever since I visited there in the fall of ’06. I saw how God was moving through that country in such a powerful way-and even in the midst of the devastation that continues to hit that place, His hope is so evident there. After spending three weeks there, I felt strongly in my spirit that I would return some day, though I had no clue what that looked like. I had even considered doing the Holy Given School of Missions through Iris Ministries. Personal circumstances in my life made me doubt that I could pursue this, even though it was a strong desire of my heart. I feel as if this opportunity to return to Moz is God’s gracious, gracious way of giving me that heat desire, despite my own self doubt and uncertainty in the past. And the orchestration of this venture could only be fleshed out by a sovereign God who loves to give good gifts to His children. I get to be in the field (where my heart really is, anyway), work with college students (which I love), and get some personal experience with AIM (something that I think is really vital to my success there as I come on staff full time). And as if God hasn’t shown off enough, He provides all this for me pretty much FREE. Seriously, could it get any better?
2.) Since moving in with my parents a couple of months ago, I began attending the church I grew up in and have become involved with the children’s ministry on Wednesday nights. I have been teaching the older kids (which, on a good day is three girls. Let’s just say, the church has been through a lot.) about prayer after the regular teaching. I have worked with kids a lot in the past, but this has been my first solo teaching experience. Last Wednesday, we were talking about contemplative prayer and I had the girls (two sisters) meditate on a passage of scripture for a few minutes and then ask God to speak to them about it. I was a little nervous. I mean this is a Southern Baptist church. These kids have never heard this kind of stuff before. When I had given them a couple of minutes in silence and prayer, I asked if any one wanted to share what came to mind. A word, a thought, a picture, anything. Alisha, the older sister said “I heard God say that when I go on a field trip with my school this Friday, that He wants me to tell someone about Him while I am there.” What?! So…wasn’t expecting that one! I was so excited for Alisha- that she heard Him so clearly and that she was open to share with us. We prayed for her about that, asking God to give her a divine appointment on Friday and to make her bold. I can’t wait to hear how it all turned out!
3.) I was able to see most of my Cairo family at the ATL airport last night as they passed through on their way back from Lakeland. They had a two hour layover, and we met in the atrium there, had some dinner and caught up. I loved hearing about their experience at the revival. We also had a really sweet time of prayer together-and they “sent me off” to this task God has called me to this summer. Their support means so much to me and I know that I cannot do this without their prayers and spiritual covering. I thank God so much for the opportunity for a little commissioning to happen in the food court of the ATL airport.
4.) within the past 5 days, my support account has quadrupled,and I have been blessed with another monthly supporter. He really is Jehovah-Jireh, our provisional God.
thank, you, Abba, for being the type of Father that delights in showing your goodness to your children. Thank you that goodness is the very core of who You are. Forgive me for forgetting…
surely goodness and mercy cover me
all the days of my life, they cover me
-Jason Upton
