A lost hat

Yesterday Daniel took his only baseball cap to school. On our way to school I told him to be very careful with it, because his Bop had given it to him and it could not be replaced. Well, when he got home from school, there was no cap with him. He told me that he had lost it in the cafeteria yesterday morning. So, this morning I went with him to look for it, but to no avail. I was very discouraged and almost began to cry thinking of the picture of him and Bop wearing their matching hats when he was only two. Then, the Lord spoke gently to my heart and asked me a very difficult question? Am I as concerned about all of the lost people around me who do not know about Jesus? Is the loss of a material possession making me sadder than the lostness that is all around me? How have my priorities become so confused? May I praise the Lord for this lost baseball cap, because it reminded of a much more important truth! May I seek hard after the lost of our city. Thank you for this uncomfortable lesson!

Thriving, not just surviving!

To be perfectly honest with you, the weather here in Brussels is grey and cold today and I feel that this is representative of how we feel right now. We are tired. Over the weekend, we were blessed to go see some colleagues in another city and this was a wonderful excursion for us. Daniel got to play outside in a yard!! It was a wonderful time for all of us. As we were having conversations around the table the topic of thriving instead of just merely surviving came up. These days we feel like we are just surviving, but we do not want this to a way of life. We WANT to thrive here where the Lord has placed us. We want to display His glory and it is most difficult to do when you are barely hanging on, or is it? Is it when we are barely making it that we learn to shine for Him the best? As I was reading my Bible this morning, I was struck by a passage which I have read countless times before but the Lord gave me a new perspective on it. Psalm 9:1-2 states: "I WILL praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I WILL tell of your wonders. I WILL be glad and rejoice in you; I WILL sing praise to your name, O Most High." (emphasis added) As I was reading, it was like the Lord was telling me that it is a conscious decision that I must make each day to praise Him. I must set in my heart to praise Him no matter what may come. This may seem very simple to you, but it was exactly what I needed this morning. When days are incredibly dark and difficult, I must determine to praise Him and when days are joyful and light, I must determine to praise Him. My praise of Him should not depend upon my circumstances, He is the same and thus worthy of all of my praise.

School adventures!

This morning, Daniel's class had a special crepe day, so we all went to his school, except for Daddy. When I say we all went that means that I was carrying Grace and holding hands with Joshie as we walked. Daniel was a big helper and held Joshie's other hand as they walked together. We have a huge double stroller and I did not think that I would be able to get into the school building with it, so at the last moment I chose to walk while carrying Grace and holding Joshie's hand. We were definitely a sight walking down the sidewalk. I always get lots of strange looks when I push the double stroller, but today I got some strange looks because of all of the children that were walking with me. We took up all of the sidewalk, but praise the Lord we arrived safely to school after having to cross the road three times. It was fun to walk with all of the children and we did pray for safety as we were walking. This is the second morning this week in which Joshie has joined us for our morning walk. He enjoys being a big boy and walking, though it is not always convenient. I think that the Lord is teaching me to be patient as I slow down to walk with Joshie. This morning, we arrived to school and went to the cafeteria where I was able to sit with some other parents and begin getting to know them a little better. I always appreciate any opportunity which the school allows for me to be able to come and meet other parents. I thank the Lord that I am able to communicate either in French or English with the various parents from the school. I was also able to watch Daniel interact with the other children in French. I am amazed at how the Lord is opening up his ears and mouth to this new language. Grace and Joshie enjoyed eating a crepe (Grace even sat at the table like a big girl) and then we were on our way back home again. We will now pick up Daniel from school, because he only goes during the morning on Wednesdays, but this time, I think that I will use the stroller. Enough exercise for one day! What a privilege to walk and talk with our Savior!