You Give And Take Away

I think a lot about the family we have who we live so far from. I miss them very much. Sometimes I look at the majority of people around us who live near to brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts uncles....and I get a little sad that ours are so spread out across this enormous continent, and we see them so seldom.

I think a lot about the friends that the Lord has blessed us with, especially in the last 10 years...friends who have spurred us on in our faith, who have shared their deep hurts and overwhelming joys with us...who have loved us, encouraged us, challenged us and loved our children....so many of them live far away.

Many missionaries are called overseas, and away from the familiar, lovely faces in their lives. We have not been called overseas, but we have been called to this mission field for a season - away from so many who we hold dear and miss dearly. Still others to whom we've grown close in this place have been called away, some who may not to return as expected. Small pieces of our hearts follow after them.

But I know that all of the people that the Lord brings into our lives are significant. He uses them to shape us, and He uses us to shape them. I am thankful for the way He has caused my heart to learn to love, and the way in which my love can remain strong for people He has separated me from.

I pray diligently that my children will grow to LOVE. I pray that the Lord protects their precious little hearts as they experience the loss of separation from friends and extended family. But I pray that, through those separations and the challenges they bring, that their tender hearts will understand a breadth of LOVING that can only come from the Father Himself.