This past week or so, I've been dealing with what some would call a "sickness". I would call it a "seemingly never ending cycle of pain and annoyance". Pain, because of the coughing and small, white creatures in the back of my throat. Annoyance, because of the fact that every morning, I open my eyes and wonder if this will be the day I get to go back to "work", and am quickly told my body that the answer is a big, fat no.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of the sob-story. G0d is resoundingly good. Perfect. Fa1thful. Because of these reasons, I began writing this post, not to complain to you about my momentary "sorrow" (not to be compared to the sorrow which was suffered for us upon the cr0ss). I have seen evidences of this fa1thfulness, perfection and goodness in many ways this week (yes, even in the midst of boo-hooing to myself, watching youtube videos, and taking the less-than-delicious syrup which was prescribed to me by the doctor). And THAT is the reason I write. Not to glorify my own sad state, but to bring glory to the One who actually deserves it!
Exhibit A: James Everett. I had rarely gotten sick back in the states, and even then the sickness would only last a day or two, so this past week, James has seen the nitty gritty of it all. Boy, oh boy, can that man take care of his lady! He is an amazing picture of Chr1st loving the Chµrch. Not just the "laying down His life" part that we read about (which, of course, is the most important part... without that, we wouldn't have any of the rest of it!), but the nurturing love and constant care that Chr1st shows His bride, as well. James has shown such patience and sweet gentleness to me, and I thank G0d for His Fa1thfulness in providing for me with such an amazing husband.
Exhibit B: It's hot. Seriously. I had some idea of what it would be like before we got here, but I didn't have... you know... the WHOLE idea. Well, I do now. And it's hot! The apartment that we share with our two friends, Ryan and Cameron has one air conditioner. Luckily for us, it's placed in the master bedroom – where James and I sleep. At first, we were sleeping with our door open, so the cool air would float across to R&C's room. But after a few nights, we realized that this technique was only letting the wall of hot air into our room. It was finally decided that we needed another a/c. We had made arrangements to pay for it, and have it installed when someone pointed out a recent vacancy in our apartment building. A sweet family (and good friends of ours) had just moved back to the states where they will soon (like, REALLY soon!) have their 4th baby, and start a new job. Their apartment is two floors down from ours, and is complete with TWO a/cs. One in each room! After getting permission, we spent all day today moving ourselves into our second abode (when I say, "we" I mean, "James, Ryan and Cameron" I was about as useful as a pet goldfish... did I mention how thankful I am for my husband?). So, let's do the math: two homes in less than 3 months. WHAT?? We weren't even sure where we were going to live a week before we got here, and now we're living in a place BETTER than what we were originally provided with. Does that amaze anyone else? That the G0d of the universe would care about 4 little humans who were uncomfortable in the hot climate He created? Haha! Thank you, wonderful, merciful Sav1or, for giving us every day comforts ON TOP of the ultimate gift of salvat1on. How happy we should be to merely be adopted into G0d's family, yet His goodness continues throughout each and every day!!
As you can probably tell, there is a moral to this post: let's all take a little more time investigating G0d's goodness instead of complaining in the face of small adversities. There is something much bigger going on here... and that something is going to end with us falling on our faces in front of our victorious King!
