31 July 2019 

 

Many years ago today, I was born.  Nine years ago today, we were serving as missionaries in Guatemala. Four months before, we buried our first daughter, Esther Nina (read more here).  After this, we received a lot of well-intentioned words of comfort and advice most of which hurt more than they helped.  But one piece of wisdom was particularly helpful: “Grief comes in waves.”  For the four months between Esther’s death and my birthday, my waves and Areli’s waves had crashed at different times which was helpful because one could help to comfort the other.  However, on my birthday both of our waves crashed together.  We were both severely grief-stricken and not even talking with each other.   

 

I left that morning alone on my motorcycle to travel over a mountain to get to the clinic on the other side.  I was at one of the lowest points of my life.  I wasn’t actively suicidal, but I was driving more recklessly than usual hoping something around one of the corners might knock me off the mountain and stop the pain.  By God’s grace, I made it to the clinic, did what I had to do, and made it home safely. 

 

Later that night, a few of our missionary friends invited us over for cake.  Reluctantly we went.  We ate delicious homemade chocolate cake and less than awesome Guatemalan ice cream.  The grief diminished, Areli and I reconciled, and our joy returned.  Somehow God used a simple get-together to encourage me and bring me out a dark place.   

 

My birthday from nine years ago reminds me of life for the Christian.  There are no promises in the Bible that we will not face difficulties in this life.  The opposite is promised.  However, God brings us out of darkness and into His eternal light.  And at the end of our days, we will be joyfully eating cake with our loved ones and with Jesus in His presence.  And even the ice cream will be awesome.   

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”—James 1:2-3 (NIV)

 

God has accomplished a lot of things in my life over the past nine years.  Here are a few:  He has freed me more and more from my sinfulness.  He has continued to teach me His ways and given me the power to walk in them.  He has strengthened our marriage.  He has given us a wonderful church family.  And He has given us 3 more beautiful daughters. 

 

He has also blessed me a job to serve people in the Detroit area in the name of Jesus.  And one that allows me to take time off to go back to Guatemala regularly.  Only God could do all of this and much more.  To Him be the glory!