I started this blog because I wanted to communicate what was happening in my life and missionary journey with my friends and family scattered around the world. And, as the title suggests, I want to be open and honest with all of you about what is filling my heart and mind. So from now on, I'll be posting a new blog at least once a week. I promise. Even if I have no real thoughts.
So here is my thought for this week.
On Saturday, I fly back to Southern California, where I'll be spending the next few months. I have some support raising to do and some clerical stuff needs to be sorted out before I can be get a residence visa for living here in the UK. And since my flight home looms ever nearer, I have been thinking through what God has been teaching me, revealing to me, and shaping in me over the past 6 months. And I've come up with two key things, I'll go into the second in my next post, but the first is this: "Be still and know that I am God."
Last night as I was going to bed, I fell down the stairs in my flat; not many stairs, but enough to make an impact. My foot missed the step, so I slid down, landing at a weird angle on top of my foot and slamming into the wall. Don't worry, I'm fine, but today, my right foot and right knee are pretty stiff and my back is on fire. Leaving the flat and going for the walk I'd planned are off the table though. What has struck me more than the discomfort is that this has been a theme of the last six months.
Since arriving in London I have been housebound with the flu for at least a month added together, plus another 3 weeks with various foot and ankle injuries, and now this latest tumble. All of which interrupted grand plans to spend my days exploring the city, diving into the community, and taking massive amounts of photographs: all of the things I had scheduled for this season. Now a fair amount of that has happened but, counter to the "taking the city by storm" that I had planned, God had set aside this time to take me by storm in a fresh way. My understanding of who he is has been blow open. My vision of what he is calling me to has been simultaneously sharpened and broadened. And I am left with more questions and fewer answers than ever before. It's been amazing.
I'll be sharing with you as the seeds God planted this fall take shape. But for now I can simply reflect on God's graciousness to force my to slow down and listen to him. And as I'm housebound again today, I will be taking this opportunity to be still and listen to the voice of my Father.
