‘Still my soul be still
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow
God, You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone’.
(Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend)
Every breath I breathe is precious, a gift given by my Heavenly Father. This thought has impacted me during this period where circumstances caused me to know the true meaning of ‘Trust’. Placing my trust in a heart beating constantly with love. As I waken each morning, methinks ‘Today is yesterday’s tomorrow’. Yes, a change of plans and suddenly, yet in the change I came to know the importance of today, moving by faith into the next step of another tomorrow. Fear and faith are not compatible, yet I had to go through a period of fear as I faced overwhelming circumstances of the reality ‘why not me’? When all things appear to be against you, one has time to reflect. Embarking from the plane in Stanstead Airport and ‘rushing’, suddenly chest pain. I silently tried to breathe deeply and kept walking. Five weeks into our mission trip although I knew things were not right, I had an unshakable peace. I knew I must return for further investigation. What has the new me learned? God is faithful. His delays are timely as we face the realisation there is still work to be accomplished. My heart has found rest that although ‘By the Brook’ for a season, in the quiet hours His voice, His peace has removed my disappointment, discouragement, turning my fear, hopelessness into a new dimension of focus. As a child I often heard my Mother sing ‘Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know He holds my hand’. He has stirred the waters refreshing my soul and assuring me He will equip me with strength for each new day (and tomorrow), His work will be accomplished ‘For Such A Time As This’. ‘The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail’. Isaiah: 58: 11
Charles Stanley lists some requirements for faith: Listening to God; Obeying God; Depending on God and Waiting on God. And so in faith, the project for CIGHID will go forward. Fifty Adult Orphans need to know they are not forgotten. They need to know and feel loved. Details listed on our Website.
We read in Luke 10: 42 ‘One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part ……. ‘ What treasures we find sitting at the feet of Jesus. ‘Break Thou the Bread of Life oh Lord to me‘. We give thanks to the Lord for His faithfulness enabling us to Follow Our Heart in 2018; we must love unconditionally, providing bread for the hungry and dying this incoming year. During the first ten days of January, nine Hospice Patients died. Darling Baby Florin lost his battle with Leukaemia and only a few days ago a much loved brother so kind and gentle, Brother Jospeh, received his call to Glory. I remember my last visit two days before I returned home, he asked: ‘Sister Shirley, will I be going home soon’? Joseph is finally home. Moments ago I learned from Estera, ‘Little Ella’s’ father has died. So important to have met their personal needs but more importantly to point them ‘By the way of the Cross’. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh, blessed be the name of the Lord. I ask myself: ‘How many are the lost that I have lifted, how many of the chained I have helped to free, I wonder have done for my best for Jesus, the One who did so much for me?’
I am home for a season, yet not home. The Lord is my dwelling place and there I rest. The work and financial support continues. Monika, Dora (Casa Grace), Marinela, Daria, Estera (Emanuel Hospice) are in daily contact with me updating me on current situations. How precious the bond of friendship. In the plan and will of God we will meet mid April. I have felt the prayers of the Family of God, humbled by the numerous tokens and expressions of genuine care and love. Pastor David McFarland has been my ‘Balm in Gilead’.
I find my hope renewed with each new sunrise, mercies sufficient for each day. His unfailing love is continuous and my hope is in Him alone. Let us go forward together offering hope to those in despair. As I finish, I end by quoting the words of Charles Stanley: ‘Give me a heart to seek You above all else, Lord, I want to experience Your presence on an intimate level’.
‘I have set the Lord always before me’. (Psalm 16: 8) What need I more ?