Taking Time #7: Joy

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people; joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

-Psalm 97:11

In the picture above, you will see joy--complete joy! These are my precious friends at Korah. Korah is one of the poorest places in Ethiopia. But the people there that have encountered Jesus are some of the most joyous and alive people I've ever met. On this particular day, the children had just finished their meals. Two precious ones had me write down my name and all my family members names, so that they could know them and study them. As we continued our conversation, we started to talk about Jesus and His unfailing love. I then asked them if they knew any songs that spoke of Jesus. They immediately began singing "I am not Forgotten." I was in awe and amazed at how firmly and confidently these beautiful children were singing these words in full belief. They sang knowing of whose they were--knowing that Jesus never forgets them. As they were singing and I started to sing with them, their eyes brightened. They were excited that I knew a song that they knew as well. I then remembered that I had my speakers and ipod with me. I also had that particular song. So, I hooked up my speakers and we sang "I am not Forgotten" until we couldn't sing anymore. I then started to dance and had them dance with me. JOY immediately entered the space we were in. Jesus was already there, but His beautiful presence continued to grow stronger and stronger as we proclaimed His truth of not being forgotten. He was present in our laughter, singing, and dancing. My heart was moved and I am still in awe and wonder at how precious the love of Jesus is. No matter who you are or where you come from, He comes to those who call upon him. He truly does. Light-seeds and joy-seeds were planted that day because the soil was good in the hearts of those at Korah.

So, today--I remember to take the time for joy to enter into my life. I choose to remember that I am never forgotten and neither are the precious thousands at Korah.

I pray that you take the challenge to take the time to see JOY!

P.S. Click on the song for a beautiful taste of "I Am Not Forgotten".

Taking Time #6: Mothers and Fathers

Learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless...

-Isaiah 1:17

This verse truly says it all. While I was in Ethiopia and Uganda, the Lord began speaking to my heart even more in depth about those that are motherless and fatherless. In Ethiopia and Uganda, it's more common to run across someone who is literally motherless and/or fatherless. Maybe that is why when they hear about Jesus, it's so easy for them to receive. He comes and fills those places in the children and they immediately give him their all. When we are hungry and thirsty, the Lord truly does fill us.

I had the privilege of meeting numerous young girls. They immediately were able to relate to me, but it was nothing in and of myself. These smiles would come forth while we were singing or dancing, but especially when the name of Jesus was mentioned. There truly is power in his name. As those precious smiles would smile at me, I was grounded even deeper in this truth: God, precious Jesus, is the Father to the fatherless. When we catch his gaze, he pours that part of his heart into us. So, with every smile and every hug, the Lord was telling me how he was pouring his mother and father heart into these little ones. But even more amazingly, they were pouring that love into me.

Take the time to receive the mother and father heart of God. And give it to those who are truly motherless and fatherless.