Saturday, September 21, 2019

When I Make God Small




When I stand at the edge of the ocean.

Or look out the window of a plane.

It's easy for me to remember.

God is big.

And I am small.



But many times in my life.

When I'm in the routine of my day to day.

When my week ahead is all I see.

And I'm all about my plans.

What I want to do.

How I feel.

What I see.

Without even being aware of it.

I make God small.



It's in those times.

He's limited to my life experiences.

And my point of view.

He definitely needs my help.

I jump in and work things out.

And then.

Ask for his okay.

I see things through the lens of me.

The universe.

Is most definitely.

Revolving.

 Around me.




When I make God small.

I loom big.

So does my place in the world.





Thankfully.

He's patient.

And good to me.

It only takes a shift.

In my circumstances.

Or a disruption in my little world.

And then I see.

Oh, yeah.

Now I remember who you are.

You are God.

And you are not small.



You raised the Tetons.

 And filled the oceans.

You know the heart of every person on the planet.

And you've seen every generation pass through since the beginning of time.

But in a more personal way.

You've allowed me to know you.

During hardships.

And prayers.

Some answered.

And others not.

You've provided for me in a million different ways.

And made sure.

I always knew.

You care.



I may forget sometimes.

But.

Thankfully.

It's not for long.

And you wait patiently on me.

When I.

Make you small.






































Sunday, September 8, 2019

Room for the Davis's




They came home.

All six of them.

For ten weeks this summer.

Home from a full year of serving in Nairobi.

They are close as family to us anyway.

And we had plenty of room to spare.

Twelve suitcases rolled in that first night back.

A borrowed twin mattress was walked down the street from a neighbor.

And brought upstairs.

They were a sight for sore eyes.



The Davis's were in and out all summer.

Catching up with their families and friends.

Telling their story countless times.

To churches.

And groups.

And supporters.

Making sure the kids had time to just be kids.

Swimming, camping, beach trips, fast food, fun.

And hopeful God would provide what they needed.

Before it was time for the return back.



And.

It was no surprise to me.

At all.

That He did.

I'd love to share all the details.

Of how it all unfolded.

But, it's enough just to say.

He came through.

Boy, did He come through.



One donor covered school fees.

So the Davis kids could attend a safe, private, Christian school.

Another heard their story.

And provided for a much needed used car for them to get around.

Donations were given to support the orphanage and the children where they serve.

For beds and provisions and care.

Support came from everywhere.

Churches, and groups and people saw what we did in them.

Something quite special.

Something you don't see very often.

Not perfect people.

But people who live out what they believe.

With guts and backbone.

No pretense.

No religious mumbo jumbo.

Just the real deal.

The very real deal.

We made room for the Davis's this summer.

All six of them.

And when they flew back.

The twin mattress got walked back down the street.

To it's owner.

Borrowed vans got returned to Molly & Glenn.

And Danee's sister.

Family and friends settled back into a familiar, long distance relationship.

And the Davis's.

Went back.

Encouraged.

Provided for.

Loved.

And with certainty.

Which is a really good thing to have.



If you'd like to support LJ & Danee Davis as they serve in Nairobi, Kenya in the coming year, use their paypal account to give securely online:

paypal.me/davismovetokenya

or mail a check to LJ Davis, c/o The Dublin's at 8 Bonner Street, Due West, SC 29639.    I'll make sure your donation is deposited directly into their account.

You can also follow the Davis's on their facebook page: Danielleandlj Davis.

Pray for them this year.   LJ, Danee, Sonoma, Bob, Garrett & Alizah Davis.

They've got a lot of work ahead of them.