HalleluJah in the highest!
Recently, through one of my neigbours, I came again to taste our Father’s abundant goodness. Stephen is a 20 year old Kenyan, who is the foster son of a Marta, a fellow PCUSA mission-coworker, who’s been ministering in Kenyan over 10 years. He will be 21 years old in June, and I’ve been searching for the best, gift for him. I’ve spent so much time talking with about growing in grace and knowledge of our dear Lord Jesus, you’d think he’d get tired of all my “preaching,” but in fact he responds with, “Hey, Ingrid, you know, you’re my booster; you really boost me all the time.”
Well, it dawned on me that as his “booster,” I was searching to find him just the perfect gift because he’s become as precious to me as my nephews in Belize, and I want only to be good to him: this goodness means giving him what is best for him. (I know you know where this is leading, especially those of you who are loving parents). If, I, in my imperfect capacity to love, desire the best for one I love, how much more does our Father in His perfect, infinite love and goodness to us, desire to give us His best? Because he is omnipotent, giving us the best is never a problem, except when we get in the way of Him doing so.
Of course, I realize that this is not such a new revelation. What’s made it more meaningful is this: in the midst of searching for the best gift for Stephen, our Father gave me what could be the best gift for me at this time: Since last year, I’ve been hunting all over Nairobi for a particular song. I’ve asked my brothers and sisters in Christ to please send me this song, for I know how much it would nourish me (I can still remember singing it in the choir that was assembled to sing at Ruth Bell Graham’s funeral: it had seem then that the angels in heaven had come and sang with us!), but no one’s been able to send it thus far. Well, I purchased a gospel music dvd for Steven’s birthday, and last night I played it (to make sure it would be something that would really minister Christ to him), and the very last song was Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise,” sung by Donnie McClurkin, a favorite gospel singers.
So that is what I mean by being overwhelmed by our Father’s oh so tender goodness unto us. Last night, weeping with thanksgiving and praise, I understood that all of my concerns about whether His goodness would extend to all areas of my life, especially in my capacity as Across’ new Donor Relations Manager, were being enveloped in His abundant goodness unto me. Now, I am encouraged and strengthened anew knowing that in His abundant goodness, He not only goes with me, but before me as well, arranging the meetings and preparing the hearts of those through whom the people of Southern Sudan will be richly blessed.
Thank you for joining me in giving deep thanks and praises to our great God and Saviour, Jehovah, Lord Jesus, for His abundant supply in all areas of my life, that I may faithfully and fruitfully minister Him in Southern Sudan, Nairobi and wherever He places me, amen.
Recently, through one of my neigbours, I came again to taste our Father’s abundant goodness. Stephen is a 20 year old Kenyan, who is the foster son of a Marta, a fellow PCUSA mission-coworker, who’s been ministering in Kenyan over 10 years. He will be 21 years old in June, and I’ve been searching for the best, gift for him. I’ve spent so much time talking with about growing in grace and knowledge of our dear Lord Jesus, you’d think he’d get tired of all my “preaching,” but in fact he responds with, “Hey, Ingrid, you know, you’re my booster; you really boost me all the time.”
Well, it dawned on me that as his “booster,” I was searching to find him just the perfect gift because he’s become as precious to me as my nephews in Belize, and I want only to be good to him: this goodness means giving him what is best for him. (I know you know where this is leading, especially those of you who are loving parents). If, I, in my imperfect capacity to love, desire the best for one I love, how much more does our Father in His perfect, infinite love and goodness to us, desire to give us His best? Because he is omnipotent, giving us the best is never a problem, except when we get in the way of Him doing so.
Of course, I realize that this is not such a new revelation. What’s made it more meaningful is this: in the midst of searching for the best gift for Stephen, our Father gave me what could be the best gift for me at this time: Since last year, I’ve been hunting all over Nairobi for a particular song. I’ve asked my brothers and sisters in Christ to please send me this song, for I know how much it would nourish me (I can still remember singing it in the choir that was assembled to sing at Ruth Bell Graham’s funeral: it had seem then that the angels in heaven had come and sang with us!), but no one’s been able to send it thus far. Well, I purchased a gospel music dvd for Steven’s birthday, and last night I played it (to make sure it would be something that would really minister Christ to him), and the very last song was Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise,” sung by Donnie McClurkin, a favorite gospel singers.
So that is what I mean by being overwhelmed by our Father’s oh so tender goodness unto us. Last night, weeping with thanksgiving and praise, I understood that all of my concerns about whether His goodness would extend to all areas of my life, especially in my capacity as Across’ new Donor Relations Manager, were being enveloped in His abundant goodness unto me. Now, I am encouraged and strengthened anew knowing that in His abundant goodness, He not only goes with me, but before me as well, arranging the meetings and preparing the hearts of those through whom the people of Southern Sudan will be richly blessed.
Thank you for joining me in giving deep thanks and praises to our great God and Saviour, Jehovah, Lord Jesus, for His abundant supply in all areas of my life, that I may faithfully and fruitfully minister Him in Southern Sudan, Nairobi and wherever He places me, amen.
For His Utmost Glory, Ingrid
P.S. The picture is of me and Stephen taken in the lobby of the hilton hotel, Nairobi; we'd gone for his 21st B-day celebation dinner; 'was his choice because all his life he's lived in Nairobi, but had never set foot into the Hilton, but have always wanted to do so...
