They want...I need

One Sunday morning as Brady & I were walking (quickly) to church - we passed a group of local residents standing in front of a CLOSED phone store. There, peering into window, they stood -  looking at the items and discussing in Cantonese the phones that they wanted.

This image really made me wonder.  There are many things in this world to want...to wish for.  A new phone, a big house, a new wardrobe, a higher paying job, an education...the list is endless.  Yet - do we desire the most precious thing the Creator of our universe has given to us - free of charge?

Do we stand at the foot of the cross in the same way these Hong Kong neighbors stood before this store window?  These "throne of phones"?  I found myself answering that question with a more convicting question. Do I ever find myself before Jesus with a humbled heart - and in the same way these people stood before the desirable phones -  say - "I want...him." 

No, generally not.  Perhaps on an emotionally trying day I've cried to Jesus about my woes - pleading my case.  But to stand (or kneel) and desire him with all of me?  Not lately.  That's when I find myself mourning not only for myself - but for the gentle people here - who may not even know the same King as I do.  Oh, were they to know him.  Oh, were I more like him to share him.

One of my dearest friends gave me her Bible before we moved across 'the pond.'  This copy is so precious to me - not only because it's God's Word - but because she had magazine clippings  & devotionals taped to pages, as well as notes that she penned & scriptures that were special to her underlined.  I found a scripture that she marked...that's perfect.

I WILL PRAISE YOU, O LORD, WITH MY WHOLE HEART;
I WILL TELL OF ALL YOUR MARVELOUS WORKS.
I WILL BE GLAD & REJOICE IN YOU;
I WILL SING PRAISE TO YOUR NAME, O MOST HIGH.
~Psalm 9:1-2


Here is a song with wonderful lyrics.
I think it's a perfect ending to this post...
Magnificent Obsession

Found in a flower

I thought I'd begin today's post with a picture of the park I walk through daily (4 times) taking Brady to and from her school.  This particular morning I was feeling really out of place.  We'd not been in Hong Kong but a short while and I couldn't help but feel as though we were living on the moon.  No matter where we walked - school, grocery store, mall, post office, the church - we wouldn't encounter anyone speaking our language.  I began to wonder why God brought me here, away from all the family that I dearly love, everything familiar to me.  What possible impact could I ever have on a city that held 7 million people - most of whom I couldn't even begin to share what Christ means to me. As I continued my journey back to our flat...God drew my attention to the greenery next to the fence.  My heart leapt in my chest.  There in the sea of green, hidden below - almost secretly, was a beautiful & vibrant pink flower.  One that I'd never seen before and didn't have a clue what type it was. (note to self: Remeber to praise all my friends in the states with knowledge of flowers. I only know they're pretty, colorful & masterpieces for our eyes from God's Hand.)

It became so crystal clear to me what God was speaking into my heart.  He reminded me that in this 'sea' of people from China... I was meant to be here.  Through my differences He will be able to shine  so others can see Him. Even though I may feel overwhelmed at the thought of seeming so small ~ I still am an integral part of the puzzle that He is piecing together...and as long as I am obedient to His calling on my life He will continue to use me to bring others to His throne & glory to Himself.

I shared all of this with Brady on our way home that afternoon.  A few days following this encounter with the Creator, Brady found two flowers where there once was one & her response...

"Look, Mom! Now there's the two of us."