New Year…

Original post 1/8/2015

1/8/2015

​…new prayers, pain, joy, sorrow, Same. Big. Merciful. Graceful. Loving. God! 

It’s 6:34 am on January 8, 2015. The grass is wet from last night’s rain, the sky is still overcast, and the birds are chirping their morning songs. In the stillness of the morning, I read my devotions, write, cry, and pray. And….I believe.

My devotions are taken from Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. Oswald is known for his personal, intimate relationship with Christ. His words can cut like a knife and heal like a balm. They take me deeper into the Word of God and stretch me to be my utmost for His Highest. 

I write…I have already emptied one pen since I started my journal on 28 December. A teacher once told me that when you write things down, your brain remembers them better. I’m finding this to be true. I am determined to write every day. Why? Because life happens fast, and God does great things. We forget, and I don’t want to forget. 

I cry…I cry over R. R., one of the ladies I work within the community. She began coming to the after-school program in July of last year. R is a vibrant woman with the strength and resolve to survive. She became very transparent and told us about her hurts and how the Holy Spirit had taught her to forgive those who had hurt her. R is also married to a highly abusive man, rapist, and pedophile. R began attending church and the after-school program when he was in prison. While he was in jail, is when R started to grow. Now, the cause for my tears…. he’s back. He’s back in her house, and he’s beating her…again. He’s back, and I’m not sure R’s son is safe. He’s back, and I wonder if she will be “allowed” to come to the after-school program. He’s back…

…and so I pray…

I pray that God will protect R and her son.
I pray that this man will come to know Christ and no longer beat this beautiful woman.
I pray for the kids attending the after-school program starting on 15 January. 
I pray for the young girls in these communities that they will know their value.
I pray for life!

I believe…
…that the prayers of a righteous man avail much. 

…I believe that God hears and answers prayer. 

…I believe that God can do exceedingly, abundantly above all that I could ask or think. 

…I believe that God loves me, He loves the people of South Africa, and He loves you.

New Year…new prayers, pains, joys, sorrow…

SAME. BIG. MERCIFUL. GRACEFUL. LOVING. GOD