I loved introducing Asherel's friend to the joys of kayaking on the Catawba river yesterday. Rarely will my family accompany me kayaking. None of them love it like I do, but it was nice to watch Asherel and her friend enjoy three hours on the river. I left them alone most of the time, and explored the shore line alone. It was busier than I like it. On weekends, the river is crowded with kayakers. However, it is
always magical to me, and the further I get from the launch site, the less people I encounter.
The peaceful solitude is critical to me. I am an introvert. It is not that I don't like people. In fact, I love people. But I get energy from being alone with God. Extroverts get energized being with others. I find that very draining after a while and need to rejuvenate in solitude. So I kayak as far as my arms can stand, and commune with the turtles and God. That fills my spirit with the fuel I need to interact again with a troubled world.
I am glad I kayaked yesterday because today is my day to volunteer as a sidewalk counselor at the abortion mill. I need all the energizing I can get in preparation for that difficult work. Hubby Arvo will be joining me for the first time. He will be playing his guitar and providing live worship music at the "gates of Hell." Asherel, our daughter will be coming for the first time as well -- to observe and to pray. The two team leaders won't be there, so
I am in charge of the microphone.
Gulp. For an introvert to be the voice amplified in the back rooms of the evil abortion factory is a tad intimidating.
However, besides the kayaking refueling my soul, I am grateful for our Sunday sermon. The pastor reminded us that sharing the gospel of God's love and redemption is not optional. It is a command. It is often scary, and we often feel inadequate, and we will surely experience rejection. Nonetheless, those who love God will obey His commands, and He has commanded that we
GO and teach others about Him.
So I
GO this morning, but I am not alone. My husband and my daughter will be with me, but even more importantly, God is with me. Who else do I need? What He has asked of me, He will empower in me.
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And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you
always, to the end of the age.”
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the
mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who
believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction
between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his
riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of
the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they
have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have
never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the
laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into his harvest.”
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become
all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being
prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the
hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteTwo saved babies today!!!!
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