Funny though, it didn't start out that way. It started out with me trying to minister to her. I was taking dinner to her because her family has gone through a deep personal tragedy. And while a brisket is not really going to make anything better it was the one thing that I could do.
Of course, the week got going and unexpected requirements came creeping in. And so, Thursday morning found me scurrying around trying to finish their dinner by 11:00 am so I could drop it off and then rush off to meet the next need.
And then I called her and it happened. Deep wisdom came rushing out of deep pain. When I asked her how she was doing, which felt like a rather insufficient question at the time, she calmly shared with me these things:
-we are going slower
-God is good
-God is complete.
We are going slower. In the midst of my busyness, that seemed like such wisdom. How often does busyness rob us of the clarity we need to decide what really needs to be done. In the blur, everything seems urgent. But when tragedy strikes, what is really important is suddenly amazingly clear- God and the people He has given us.
God is good. Yes, God is good. All the time. I believe that. But that statement suddenly means a great deal more when it comes from someone who has lost so much that you wouldn't really blame them for wondering if He is always good. When you stare great loss in the face and can still stand and proclaim that you know that God is good, it is a powerful statement.
God is complete. God is enough. God is all I need. While I believe this, it is from the position of usually having what I need. But when someone has lost what is so close to their heart, when that loss is so new and raw, and they still stand and proclaim, "God is complete", it takes on a whole new meaning. Yes, God is completely all I need.
So I thought I would try to minister to someone and instead I was ministered to. I think that must be one of the best things about doing anything in the Lord's service. He always gives more than I can. God's economy is way better than the world's economy. I wanted to give, but I received way more than I gave. Thank you, my friend, for standing in extremely difficult circumstances, and having faith, and being faithful, and being a witness to His love.
And he who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11:25)
