Greetings,
Mission 2010 is in full swing as the group continued it's work on refurbishing the Lamar Hotel for the use of Lamar Hospice. Hammers, crowbars, nails, and sweat were flying as the group continued maintained their "destruction mode". Cassie Elder, one of our adult leaders, took a group to do yard work at the homes of some of the hospice patients. What a job they did!
We continue our work today in the hotel as we set off to tear down cabinets and toilets! Our group has always been much better at tearing at destruction rather than construction. I suppose it's just one of those spiritual gifts that God has deemed necessary in our group.
Christine and Stephanie arrived last night so our evening gathering time was back in swing with awesome music. Last night we began talking about forgiveness. We are making our way through the seven decisions that Andy Andrews writes about in The Traveler's Gift. Last night we talked about why it is so important to have a forgiving spirit. We shared with each the struggles that each one of us have in the area of forgiveness of others and to ourselves. It is so important for our group members to come to realize that forgiveness is not something we hold on to like a prize that others are not worthy of receiving from us. Rather, forgiveness is a gift given to enable us to accomplish all that God wants for us.
The group is really beginning to gel with each other. God has gifted each one of my troopers is such special ways that it is quite easy to see His work being done in the lives of these young adults. I pray for an anointing upon our work and upon each of them as we seek to forgive, to be people of action, and to come to terms with the realization that we are responsible for our pasts and our futures. In doing so, we become better people, better neighbors, better brothers and sisters, and better children of God.
Please continue to pray for us as we seek to fulfill the call we feel God has placed on our group.
blessings,
Derek
When you hold that hatred in your heart it's like drinking poison & waiting for the OTHER person to die. It can be all consuming. There is no wiggle room for God at all when your heart is filled with anger. Easier said than done...it's hard to do, this Forgiveness thing. They say it's easier to forgive a loved one...but what if that loved one is the person that has hurt you most? Been there, done that.....a long time ago. I made that choice because I knew I wanted my heart to be totaly empty of hate for another to fill with love, and he did!! Well, THEY did...my Hubby & God! I always tell my girls, "Be kind to unkind people because they need it the most!" (Insert "eye roll" here Jess & Jenna haha). I totally have way more important things to do with my life, than sit around brooding about things that are DONE! Sorry, my typing was interupted by a phone call from Deke saying a shower door broke, cut Jess's arm & they were heading to Lamar hospital to have it stitched or glued!!! Happy to report she'll be fine...working @ a Hospice has it's advantages...3 nurses decended on her when it happened!! So, do God's work...try NOT to get hurt...& have a forgiving heart! p.s.... Dad shot a Hole in One on #12 par 3 @ Arbor Trace Golf course in Marion, Indiana!!! He told me to tell you!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, forgiveness is difficult. I think it is sometimes a matter of pride that we don't want to turn loose of those resentful feelings against someone who has done us wrong. We develop that, "oh, man, I don't want them to get away with it!" attitude.
ReplyDeleteStill, our lack of forgiveness does us more damage than the person we fail to forgive. 99% of the time, they don't care that they are not forgiven, so all the anger festers inside of us.
Not surprised, Derek, that you are discussing Andy's book on the mission trip. I know he has influenced you a great deal. He is a great author.
Sorry to hear about the injury! Glad everything turned out all right.
God's blessings as you continue to work on the much needed project.