Ugly wrapping

Even in the most difficult wrappings, God allows some of the most beautiful gifts to reside.

We are here in Venezuela and we are having a wonderful time.

Today we had a delicious traditional Venezuelan lunch around the table, visiting and laughing, sharing memories and making new ones.

Samuel is sleeping in our bed and Katrina is watching a movie with her cousin, Veronica.

Pancho Sr. is resting upstairs as well and Pancho and Emelys and Fanny are out running some errands.

And me?

What am I doing?

Spending some time with my Lord.

Over the past several months He has brought me to a place that I have never been.

A place of such rich intimacy.

For that I am so thankful.

So, today, as I was spending some time with Him going through a Bible study that I have gleaned so much from (Walking by Faith: Lessons I Learned in the Dark), He brought to mind the thought I shared at the beginning of the post.

Even in the most difficult wrappings, God allows some of the most beautiful gifts to reside.

We did not choose this time to travel to Venezuela.

It is very expensive to travel this far and we were just here in December.

We had a more costly summer with all of the guests and we were not really in a position financially to come to Venezuela.

Yet, we know that we don't always (in fact, rarely) choose the timing of "teachable moments."

God knows the best times to teach us things and His timetable is perfect.

We have learned that over the years and we can say with confidence that we know His timing is the best.

We did not choose to come to Venezuela for this reason (Pancho Sr.'s health condition).

We would have never chosen this as a reason to come.

Yet, we know that God allows things to come into our lives to sanctify us and make us more like His Son.

We are commanded in His Word to give thanks for everything.

This trip, in our minds' eye, was ugly.

It had ugly wrapping paper on it.

Pancho's dad is sick.

We don't have the money for this trip.

It is not good timing (and when is illness ever a good reason to travel?).

Nothing about this was beautiful, in our minds' eye.

Yet, the fellowship that we have experienced has been absolutely priceless.

The time that we have had as a family, doing nothing except enjoying each other's company, has been invaluable.

And it is only the second full-day that we have been here.

Our God is so good.

Our God is so faithful.

He hid a gift inside of some ugly wrapping and asked us to trust Him.

We took several steps of faith to get here

(some of which we took with your help, prayerfully and financially,

and for that we are so grateful!)

and God has given us a beautiful gift.

One that has no price tag.

Isaiah 45:3

I will give you treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places,

IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY KNOW that it is I,

The Lord, the God of Israel,

Who calls you by your name.

Thank You, Jesus, for the beautiful gifts You are giving us during this time.

Thank You for encouraging us to trust You once again, even though we didn't like the "wrapping."

And thank You for Your faithfulness yet again.