Perspective

Jane and Lucy and Myself from Elsie Jayne's perspective.

Perspective is such a gift.

Loving, leading, guiding, and training wee people is so all-consuming. And many days it feels EXHAUSTING more than anything else. We had a volunteer come to Arua for a few months who often said, "The days are long, but the years are short." I know this a wise saying that has been around for ages, but it was so helpful to me to hear as my nerves grew shorter or my doubts in potty training increased.

It's also like when many of you don't see our kids for months or years at a  time and then when we get together you are in awe of how they have grown or who they have become.

Now, in our journey back to Uganda, Jesus gave me another perspective shift that has been so helpful.

The last few months of even years we were in Arua, I was growing frustrated and confused at the LORD's economy and how He was not helping His children around me the way I thought He should. Interestingly enough, He never let me go completely without or be in REAL want, but I saw others and heard their suffering and grew more and more annoyed that my "loving Father" was not responding how I imagined a loving Father should.

I wondered why so many were begging that should be provided for. Why so many were struggling that were trusting Him just as I was.

Returning to Arua was such a gift. God opened my eyes to see how He sees in some very microscopic way. In 18 months it was as if the "short years" had arrived and the troubles were past. Yes, there were still struggles, but children were in school (that we feared would have no school fees). Families were fed that we were certain would be going hungry. Marriages were restored that we had started to give up all hope on even in our prayers. Work had been provided in creative, unique, special ways. It was as if Jesus provided for each and every need as those who were seeking Him kept trusting.

In the short term I couldn't see how He was doing that, but in the longer term it was clear He had.

We aren't always given the gift of perspective in life...

THANK YOU for carrying us in such incredible ways so that we could travel back to Arua and love those He called us to love for so many years. And thank you for praying with me because I still believe in God's economy it was somehow through prayer and trusting Him that He moved these mountains!!!!