Time and Time Again

Just two short weeks ago, Nikki spoke to us about time. It's funny how things repeat, because that is what God's been speaking to me about, too: time.

Ecc. 3:1-8
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

This week was our time to speak, our time to love, our time to laugh, and even our time to cry. It was a good time. Our STEP director Vicky came down to visit for the week. We've been showing her the life. ;)

Next week we go to Choluteca to 'entertain' children at a Nutrition clinic and orphanage, so this week has been our preparation time. We're working on puppet shows, skits, and activities for the kids. And we've also gotten to spend time with Vicky, a good friend for all of us.

Vicky's coming also brought us a listening ear; she gave us all our time to lament. I honestly did not know where I was or how much I had to say until I started talking. I don't hate it here, quite frankly I love it, but this is the longest I have ever lived in a city in my life and it's getting old. You throw in the back problems and you get a pretty cranky Kristen.

Lamentations 3:7
He has walled me in , and I cannot escape...

The city can press in at times, its vastness its own prison. At times like this I'd climb on a horse and go for a run, or hit the track and enjoy the freedom of moving and working and pushing myself. But I can't run anymore. I can't jog anymore. I am constrained to walk, and even that doesn't feel very good. It's disheartening, but then I came across this:

Romans 5:3-5
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Endurance. That's a word that sounds familiar. I used to build up my body's endurance with every step, every mile. Well, now is my time to train and grow, and build endurance again, but this time in another way. It's time to exercise my spiritual muscles. Being physical is easy, I've always been a brute, but being weak is hard. It is in our weakness, though, that He is strong.

Well then, LORD, grant me the strength to be weak.

I need not worry, I believe he's teaching me, that's why I am here. Lamentations 3:22-24 "The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him.'''

and on that note:

Psalm 119:50
You promise revives me; it revives me in all my troubles.

Habakkuk 3:17, 18-19
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,

-Even though I physically can't do it all anymore, and I miss the open spaces-

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as the deer, able to tread upon the heights.

-Kris

Our lovely Vicky is leaving us today. Please pray for her safe travel. :)