Christmas comes early

My head is swarming with details of travelling, finances, and everything else I could easily find in the box labeled, "Details to note before moving from one country to another." There has been an intense battle between the over-analytical mind of my flesh versus the Spirit, and it is my desire to relinquish my days to the peace which only comes from the control of the Holy Spirit over it all.

I love my Papa as He so faithfully confirms on a regular basis that where I am going is where He has told me to go. This confirmation comes in different forms, and the story is as follows:

My friend and I were hiking to the top of Calloway Peak on Grandfather Mountain in Boone this past weekend. Though I enjoyed the climb, I much moreso enjoyed the splendor revealed at the top as I witnessed the Blue Ridge Parkway so strategically nestled into the fierce green view painted around us. Soon enough, we found ourselves engaged in a quick get-to-know you conversation with one of the three people on top. This particular man had graduated from App State a few years ago and was back to visit. I noted his surprise as I told him I was soon headed to Bolivia. He responded: "Really? I just got back from living in La Paz and teaching English there for five years." Maybe this was a random encounter with a former Bolivian on top of a mountain, but I could feel God's pleasure as he gave me yet another blessing....another confirmation which will help sustain my faith through these coming days.

This is yet another image of who God is, our Abba who is thrilled in giving good gifts to His children. I am reminded of this past Christmas when I gave homemade gifts to my family. After weeks of preparation, it was all I could do to contain my excitement as I knew what was under the tree, and I just couldn't wait for their responses. The time and thought I had put into giving the gifts had amplified the joy it was to give them. I believe this is how it is with God...as He waits with His prepared gifts...waiting for the perfect time to give me His gift....and of course, finding such pleasure when my face lights up.

I look back over this year...and I remember times when I was disappointed or had unmet expectations and criticized God for them. But it is during these days, when God makes himself so clear, that I am learning this: Sometimes God doesn't give us that which we want because He understands the very essence of what we need...and He waits with pleasure and joy for the perfect time to give it.