I have seen God's Glory and God's hope in the eyes of people who are living in and with circumstances far beyond the comprehension of most North Americans. I think back to my childhood when I thought I was being abused by having to wear home-made clothing - Oh what I would give for those bell-bottom pants now (just as a reminder). I had no idea how blessed I was.
I have internalized many of the things that I have seen and heard since I arrived in Honduras almost 3 months ago. The last few nights, I have not slept well as images float through my mind. Last night as I returned from a long night at the emergency room with a child from a neighboring community, I could still feel the baby fighting me as I held him down with the nebulizer on his face. When he began to cry, the doctor said that was good - that meant he could breathe. He needed to breathe...and so did I. I needed to breathe and I needed to sleep.
Each day, I begin by asking God to be in control and I see His hand on all of the unexpected moments and situations. He continually amazes me as He intervenes and speaks through me and others. So last night I thanked Him for those moments in which I was blessed to see His hand:
-I thanked Him for sending Hector and Maria to help me take care of Faith Home and 82 children here --as well as all the needs out in the communities.
-I thanked Him for giving us the opportunity to see Him work in the life of little Maria Isabel and her family as she awaits the much needed heart surgery.
-I thanked him for the amazing children here at Faith Home who continually amaze me and fill my heart with love and joy.
-I thanked Him for bringing these children through difficult pasts, to a place where they can face a promising future.
-I thanked Him for the older children who are helping with the younger kids and setting good examples (most of the time).
-I thanked Him for allowing me to witness a big brother sharing his heart with his little sister -who had a problem at school yesterday. He was translating for me and then he took her in his arms and in his own words told her how much he loved her and talked her through her problem.
-I thanked Him for the little smile on one of the boys face, as I told him I loved him very much when he got out of the van to go to school (even though he was mad at me for punishing him 3 days ago).
-I thanked Him for the hope in the lives of those who are desperately seeking (and running) from God's hand on their lives.
-And I thanked Him for those who continually support and pray for us back home as we try to be God's hands, feet and heart to Faith Home and the Honduran people.
With a thankful heart for these and many other things, last night I drifted off to sleep and slept well. I awoke refreshed and renewed and still thankful. A reminder that I not only need to give God the problems, I need to turn those images in my mind to images of thanks. Just as I can still see the ugly, plaid, bell-bottom pants and be thankful for a mother who cared enough to make them, I will burn these images in my mind as a reminder to be thankful. I am Thankful for our God who is gracious and merciful and offers Hope!
No matter what this day brings in Honduras or wherever you are, be thankful.
Be still and Know that HE is God...and that's enough!
