Sweet encouragement

After getting those last three blog posts out of my head, I started to feel a little better. I can't describe how good it felt to not have them rolling around in my head. I don't know why that is the case, but it is. I am felt more at peace too, resting in Christ and His promises. Last week was a hard week, but a sweet week, preciously intimate with Him. Good stuff.


And it seems that God knows when I need some tangible encouragement.


Yesterday a lady walking into our small group. I was instantly drawn to her for some reason. She soon shared that she was on the mission trip that went to Sudan recently. The trip that I sat on the beach and cried over. The trip that I prayed over so much. That was cool. She shared some in small group about the trip, along with our friend who also went on the trip. I'm not going to lie, my heart hurt some listening to them talk, but I was honestly more thankful for what God had done on the trip than anything.


So after small group, I made a small detour on the way to church and just happened to run into her. Her name is Amy (imagine that) and we started chatting. I invited her to sit with me, and we kept chatting (imagine that.)


She is a nurse, which helps tremendously when you go on mission trips, especially medical mission trips, which was what this last group did. I jokingly told her that I wanted to go to nursing school to become a nurse. What better profession to use in the mission field, right? God wouldn't even hear of my desire to go to nursing school, and I wasn't really serious anyway. It was just a fleeting thought.


But you know what Amy said? She said that yes, being a nurse came in very handy, but what they really needed on this last trip, HOLD ON, was...


teachers.

She said teachers.

I think I actually gasped aloud. It felt so good to hear. "Teachers."


I lost no time in telling her I had a degree in education. And about how much I wanted to "Go." She said, "Oh we need you!"


That felt really good. They need people who can talk. (And write and hug?) It was just nice, to hear that those gifts I was struggling with just a few days ago were needed. Wow.


I had just felt, for some strange reason, that the gift of gab and wearing cute shoes weren't going to benefit the Kingdom much. But He whispered through my new, sweet friend Amy that yes, He can use me. Why did I ever doubt?


And then our service yesterday was all about what God is doing through our church for India. Oh, it was just really hard to sit still. Have you ever wanted to transport yourself through a Skype? Much less a pre-recorded Skype transmission? I want to be in India. (Be still. Wait.) But oh the joy that seeing what God is doing brings to my wait-weary soul.


And toward the end of the service, something was said about missions, and Amy clutched my arm and said, "See? We need you!"


Oh. my. I am just weak with appreciation. That God was so gracious to see past the whining and complaining and impatience to show me again that He is in control of every detail of my life. Down to the smallest, simplest thing. That He can and will use me. It's just not time yet.

And guess what He gave me on Saturday? A new friend who's heart is so passionate about adoption. Oh we talked about that a lot. And she is a child of missionary parents who grew served in Africa most of her childhood. She shared so much about all of that, and I just soaked it in.

Why do I see a pattern here? God is so good. Wait. And here are some comforts while you are waiting. And some education. I have SO much to learn. I get lost in all I need to learn. But that's okay. I have time while I am waiting...


And yes, there are things I can do while I'm waiting. And I am. I'm going to wear my cute shoes and talk. And hug. And learn.