holding the ropes

Quick clarification: We are NOT in any way comparing ourselves withWilliam Carey, and living in Haiti those precious years and carrying on there is nothing, nothing like the massive sacrifice, abundant faith and incredible risk he took daily for his entire life. There is nothing comparative there nor was I thinking at all comparatively when I wrote my last post!

I am just really moved by his story right now, and inspired to live better in Him, bolder, to love better, and without fear. The love of Christ controls us--not fear, not comfort, not convenience--and Carey's incredible plodding has been reminding me of that...that is all.

I have been incredibly and consistently reminded these past few days how rich I am in faithful, praying people. 

I've had a faithful family and now extended-extended family in Ohio praying for me since I was a toddler in church, praying for me always, praying for me still...through childhood and loss and college and Haiti and babies. I've had a woman who used to work at the Physical Plant when I was a freshman at Asbury University who started praying for me when my mom got sick, who has been praying for me and lifting me up ever since, reminding me of her love and mighty prayers even this week. I have dear friends/family in Pennsylvania who sought us out and have made us a part of their family, praying for us still and always.

I thought some of that would stop when we were moved from Haiti, and maybe some of it has. But the Lord has been so faithful and merciful and over-the-top with us to continue to plant us in peoples hearts, and I don't even begin to understand that. Couldn't even begin to have raised that up for myself.

Some of the ministry I am in right now is the most stretching of my life (like raising-teens-ministry! and staying-faithful-and-focused-in-America ministry), and the prayers I am desperate for and the sustaining that He is doing in my life are THERE.  

You have them, too.

As we all struggle through various things today...lack of faith, temptation to worry, sickness and sadness, frustration and cycles, crisis and hardship...let the Lord remind you of the faithful brothers and sisters who are lifting you up, and BE a faithful brother and sister lifting others up.  This priceless ministry of prayer in our lives, people talking to God about us and us lifting up people to Him...we will never know the full impact, and it is worth remembering as we live. 

So grateful for men and women like these, and like the William Careys, to inspire and stable me!  

Who are your people? 

And whose ropes are you holding??