Hope Lives, A Journey of Restoration

Last night, our family finished the Bible Study Hope Lives. These five weeks have truly been "a journey of restoration" --- fittingly, as it is, after all, the book's subtitle. The very last chapter ended with these words...

The vehicle in this journey is God's grace. I'm struck with the realization that this journey was never me - it didn't start with me and it's not compelled by me. God, in his grace, whispered to me and asked me on a journey. I'm here because God invited me along. I take missteps and stumble along the way, but it is God's grace that leads me.

It is God's grace and his Holy Spirit that are restoring me, slowly but surely, to the masterpiece he created me to be. His grace - not my own good intentions or good works - has brought me this far, and his grace will continue to guide me on the journey he has commissioned for me: to love and serve the world.

I don't want to be part of a fad. It's so hot right now to be into Africa... into a cause... into the poor. What'll it be five years from now? I don't know, but I don't want a phase - I want Christ. I want to be on this road of serving Christ and walking beside him for the rest of my life - with his grace at the center, to keep me from growing "weary in doing good."

"... a life of grace, a life of compassion, is the life of following Christ. It's the life in which I become who I was created to be."

Powerful, thought-provoking, full of meaning and truth. The words I quoted above {from the book} could very well be our family's prayer! It is the cry of our soul... our heartbeat... that our hearts be broken for the things that break God's heart.

Speaking of which... my girl leaves for a mini missions trip {a Compassion Trip, as our church calls them} tomorrow! She applied for, got interviewed and was chosen to go on this trip. She is sooooo excited and I am so proud of her for choosing to spend a part of her Summer break serving needy children in this way!

She {and 17 other junior high students} will be gone for one whole week, volunteering at a day camp for under-privileged children offered for free at Kerr Street Ministries. They {and their youth leaders, of course} will be in-charge of running the programme for the whole week!

Here are some prayer items:

~ God would work in the kids' lives - in big or small ways.
~ Everyone would stay healthy and safe - kids, staff and volunteers.
~ Last minute planning and prep will go smoothly.
~ The week's program will run smoothly.
~ Everyone would be flexible when thing don't quite go as planned.
~ The kids would see God's love and hope.
~ The team could have a really positive influence on them.

Thanks for praying with me! I know that it is going to be an awesome experience for my girl.

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!