I'm Here

Yesterday I had the honor of being the Voice of the Martyrs representative at the Combined Federal Campaign Kickoff Event in New York City.  I always like to go to these things.  I like talking to people and raising awareness of the suffering that our Christian brother and sisters are experiencing around the world for choosing to follow Jesus Christ.  My prayer is that more people would become involved, more prayers would be said, and that new supporters would be found for the persecuted church.

My stress-y part of all this is the traveling.  I am always anxious until I get there and get set up.  And this event was no exception.  I had to grab a super early train, (after working late the night before) and then find a cab to downtown (I had a very heavy suitcase filled with materials and didn't think I'd be able to handle the stairs of the subway system), and then wrangle me and my heavy suitcase into the building itself.  I try to time it so I am there early, but not too early, keep myself and my belongings organized and not lose my return train ticket or my glasses...both of which I am quite good at !

So onto the train I go, and I am tightly stressed, I ran later than I wanted to.  Then its, "what am I going to do with the suitcase if the train fills up, I can't lift it to the suitcase rack.   What if I can't find the buildig...."  In my mind the possible problems are running around in circles, I'm half asleep even after coffee.   I try to remind myself what my Christian family has to do to share the Gospel, travel to worship together, carry boxes of Bibles by hand or motorbike into remote areas for distribution.  All under the threat of danger to themselves and their loved ones. This encourages me and helps put things into perspective mentally, but still I am apprehensive and fretful emotionally.  So I took out my phone and started scrolling through today's Facebook notifications trying to distract myself and relax a bit.  And  then God......

Lol.  God is so funny and wonderful.  He always knows just what to say !!  I so needed this.  I do pray for the upcoming events, but usually its the days leading up to them, I pray for people's hearts to be open and responsive. I pray that more help for the persecuted will be forthcoming because of this awareness.  I tend to forget that I could be praying for my journey, I could be praying while I am making this journey.  My mind is racing with so many concerns and worries about what I am doing that I forget the most important part and the most important character.  GOD.  Silly me!!  

He is so good.  So aware and so very present in our lives.  I let my roiling mind crowd Him out yesterday morning.  But my heavenly Father broke through the chaos of my thinking and spoke words of comfort and peace to me.  I just love Him!!

Thank You Lord for being You!.  Help us to hear through whatever is crowding our thoughts and emotions Your words of love, words of care, words of hope and peace.  You are so very present, and very tender toward Your children.  Psalm 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.  I love You Lord.  You are so good to me.  

Pray for your heart to be open to God's comforting voice in all your situations today.