Work To Do...

At precisely 6:17 in the morning my phone, which sounds like the horn of an old car, abruptly awoke Wendy and myself.  I ignored it at first, but then it rang once again.  A good friend of mine (stateside) wanted to chat, so I messaged him to give me a few minutes.  He immediately realized he had called me a bit early in the morning here, but I was up so we talked for a good bit.    

It’s been sometime since I’ve attempted to write a general update of how things are going here in the UG.  Can’t say it’s been intentional, but I can’t give you a solid reason why I haven’t as well.  Maybe because it’s been that kind of a year, or at least 7 months now, or maybe it’s because we’ve chosen silence when others have chosen a lesser road.   Instead of updating, allow me to share a few thoughts going around in this head of mine. 

A friend of mine recently gave me a book entitled “Chase the Lion”.  Mark Batterson continues to pound out one great book after another.  Let me not give the book away, you should pick up a copy for yourself and for Mark.  As noted before, I was up, so why not grab the coffee and read.  As I was reading, one phrase jumped out at me, and in fact it wasn’t even a phrase Mark wrote, it was one he was quoting.  Here it is.  “Sometimes the greatest opposition to what God wants to do next, comes from those who were on the cutting edge of what God did last, R.T Kendall.”   I don’t want to admit it, but I think that phrase applies to me.  I need to work on that.   

This past Sunday, my family and I were at church, our new church home called Freedom Church.  The entire service focused on unlocking or unleashing the dreams God has laid upon our hearts, and the key, gratefulness. Mary had a choice when the Holy Spirit announced her destiny.  Instead of becoming embarrassed (an unmarried woman whom was now with child), she sang a song filled with gratitude, which we still read after more than 2000 years.   Through out history, God continues to challenge his people with “Red Sea” moments, He continues to give us a say into his glorious plan for our lives.  Through Mary’s obedience, God unleashed the Savior of the world.  Being grateful is a battle, one I seem to fight, one I need to win.    

The conception of our family’s decision to relocate to Uganda didn’t begin in 2012.  It began with a single phone call from a complete stranger back in 2002.  That phone call led us to move from Nashville to Chicago, which led us to a man who asked me to escort his son to Uganda late in the year of 2004.  That single trip led me to Uganda time and time again, and years later led our family to do the unthinkable. 

More than 4 years have passed.  Stretched would be an understatement when describing how our family feels.  Challenged doesn’t come close when thinking back on what God has seen us through.  Some of this has been self-inflicted.  It would be a lie to think otherwise.  Poor planning and a lack of faith, I’m sure has played a role at times.   Being more hands on, or hands off, helping when we were actually hurting, and missed pivotal moments can’t be overlooked.  But the redeeming factor in it all, God still continues to work despite our finite minds, hands, and feet.  He continues to show his face and faithfulness in every “Red Sea” moment.  God desperately desires us to trust him.  I have some work to do in this area. 

As 2016 comes to a close, my hope is in the lessons learned, and still being learned.  To be vulnerable and teachable are attributes I desire.  Unfortunately, there are times pride sneaks up, and takes a front seat.  Wendy and I recently had a conversation.  We have those frequently, but this one was at length.  Roughly 5 hours later, we came to a conclusion, and our girls needed our attention.  We concluded one of the most difficult acts we as a couple face, or have faced, is the ability to forgive. (It reminded me of a simple yet profound statement a friend once shared with me.  God never commanded us to forget, but to forgive.  For me, that was a freeing statement, revolutionary in the way I now look at the topic of forgiveness.) Much like a gift, forgiveness is a two way street.  One has to take the initiative, and the other has to be willing to accept it.  Wendy and I both admit, we have struggled in this area.  During this season we want to begin the process of gift giving, seeking forgiveness from those we have offended, and offering forgiveness to those who have offended us.  It’s true that time heals, but far too often I allow too much time to go by.  Maybe I’m not the only one.  Love always wins.