a people for His own possession...Praise God!

What a very full and beautiful day! Tonight, as Lily and I danced happily by the pool, cool breezes sweeping over the city and through our hair, listening to a Caribbean band, I had what Oprah would call an "Aha! Moment"...one of those times when all the chaos and tidbits and directions of the day come together in a moment of peace, and I could feel the Lord's strong hand on us, weaving it all together.

It has been a positively CHARGED return to Haiti, packed full with trips, dishes, visits, cleaning, correspondence, meetings, dinners, laundry, laughter, diapers, friends and transitions. Our "creatively" wired little home has resulted in more inverter issues (to be solved tomorrow with the help of a handy friend, Lord willing), leaving us powerless from 9 pm until 6 am, and recently, quite often in between, too. The first night or two of mosquitos, loud noises and extreme heat (previously blocked out by the fan) were ok. But by this morning, following night 9, I was GROUCHY. Exhausted, sore, irritated, bug-bitten and grouchy.

"I can do all this with sleep!" I wailed to Matt at 5:30 am, already pouring sweat. "But I CANNOT keep it up on 2-3 hours of sleep a night!"

My terrible attitude needed more than a vent-session and a strong cup of coffee. I NEEDED time with the Lord, and I knew it! (Praise the LORD for these times of desperation that remind us of how reliant we are upon Him!)

So, Matt and the team headed down the road for a final morning of construction, and with Lily plopped on a blanket outside surrounded by ducks, measuring cups and Cheerios, I hid my Bible from her grasping hands in my lap and hunkered down for some good time with Him.

Out loud, I read Titus over and over again, letting His words to me pour over my grouchy, tired, hot soul and sooth my heart, transform my mood, renew my spirit.

I read of His promises, and of His hope. I read of holding fast, of being above reproach, of being hospitable and loving what is good, of NOT being self-willed. I read of the young women's charge to love their husbands and their children, to be pure and wise and kind, and about being a bondslave to others, "adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect."

I let His word correct my heart, and then read of His grace, "instructing us to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope of Jesus, who gave Himself to 1) redeem us from our lawless deeds, and 2) to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."

After a beautifully corrective morning with the Lord, the team returned and we headed out to do evangelism together with several Haitian brothers in an area 20 minutes (walking) from here. And as always, when I didn't know what to say, He told me, and when I didn't know where to go, He met me. Praying as we walked, I traced the words of Titus with my mind, anxious to live worthy of His calling.

What a joy it was to be smack in the middle of life, surrounded by friends of two countries, two languages, two cultures, telling people that they are 'for HIS own possession', praying with people about His 'salvation to all men', sharing the 'blessed hope.'

Then tonight, as a beautiful and sacrificial treat, the team took Matt, Lily and I, along with our sisters who had cooked for them all week, out to a hotel in town for dinner. We sat and talked and laughed and ate fried fish and rice as the sun set and cool darkness spread over Cap-Haitien. Then four men began to play and sing, guitar, drums, maracas, and I swear I could feel His grace for tiny, self-centered, grouchy me.

What a beautiful thing it is to be a person for His own possession. How sweet is His correction, how sweet His Word and how sweet is His gracious love. How sweet to have it, to share it, and to enjoy it.

Whatever circumstance, whatever mood, whatever predicament, whatever emotion, whatever stage you may be in...Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior be with you...