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As we approach Christmas this year, I am somewhat distracted by a whole lot of well, life. My thoughts often turn to Nigeria and our plans to head out there, but also every christmas present we suggest for each other and Dan seems to be preempted by “is it worth it if we are leaving” or ” can we take it with us”. I’m not a big fan of shopping, but those question do make it somewhat more complex. It kind of takes the joy out of giving. Are we giving the presents because that is what you do at Christmas, or are we giving them because we want to bless the person receiving them. Family’s cultures vary a great deal on the acceptability of wish lists vs hints vs silence. I by passed the lot this year and did an amazon list of things that we want / need including some things for Nigeria. Not sure anyone has paid attention maybe it was too late, but last thing I want is another scarf 6 months before we go to Nigeria. (i received 1 a couple of years ago, which I and since become rather fond of, but won’t need after we move.)
I was reminded on Sunday morning, just how easy it is to get distracted from God. at 1 moment my mind started to wander off to the meetings of this week. Very swiftly was i bought back to focus on GOd when i realised i ought to lay those meetings down to him anyway! It is very easy to focus on God when things aren’t going to well, as we cry out to him and lean on his Word (which we are lucky to have in a language we can understand!) . Often when things go well we forget that it is God who controls all things and has us held in his hands.
With all this focus on fundraising so we can get out to Nigeria, i pray for God’s wisdom in dealing with it, and pray for his continued provision, but today i want to SHOUT out thanks to him for his unexpected provision. Wycliffe send out monthly reports to us of the people who have given to us, so that we can keep track of the income but also thank those who have helped us in our ministry. when I open the last emailed report, I found there had been two very unexpected gifts from people i can’t recall every meeting. I haven’t felt this blessed in a while. Maybe it is my current state of being that it has hit me so hard, but the genuine kindness of strangers who have given without expecting in return, to be on the receiving end of that sort of gift, is a truly humbling yet uplifting feeling.
This Christmas, it is ours to be reminded of again, the gift given to us in Jesus.
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