Sunday, July 29, 2018

My Heart Breaks Too Much...I Could Never Do That





I have been a sidewalk counselor in front of the busiest abortion center in the SE for almost five years now. Some of my fellow Cities4Life counselors have been there even longer. Over and over again I hear, “I could NEVER do that. My heart breaks too much.”

Forgive me for this, but that comment makes me want to scream.

Does your heart break LESS knowing that your mere presence on the sidewalk can increase the no-show rate of abortions and you choose to stay home?

Sometimes what God asks us to do is hard...very hard. But it is much harder in the end to ignore Him.

I can choose to wallow in the grief and heartbreak of all those babies being ripped apart limb by limb, or I can stand on the sidewalk and wait in eager expectation for His miracles. I can choose “the joy set before me” and perhaps be a little more like my Lord each day. I may see a woman notice I care more for her baby than she does...and she may choose life. Or a man driving down the street and stopping to talk, angrily at first, may come to at least question his own standing before God. Or a victim of domestic abuse who is so traumatized she sees no way out may find hope and help through our list of resources, and finally wrench free from the terrible cycle of abortion, abuse, and self-hatred. Or a homeless family could be assisted in finding a home when they choose life through our extensive network of obedient and loving Christians. Or a mother could feel her child move for the first time while watching him on our HELP Monroe Mobile Ultrasound and fall in love with that baby she was ready to kill moments ago.

See, you, like me, can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. We can endure the heartbreak for the glory of God. And in amazing wonder, we can see there is joy in the midst of all that sorrow.

*******
To volunteer with cities4life, click HERE.

*******

Hebrews 12:2 


Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 16:11   

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


Saturday, July 28, 2018

Pro-life Sidewalk Counselors Significantly Affect the No-Show Abortion Rate





A few days ago, a  very vocal “clinic defender” at the busiest abortion center in the Southeast told Cities4Life director, Daniel Parks, that the presence of our pro-life sidewalk counselors has led to a “no-show” rate of 60-70%. She stated it as though we should be ashamed. We are all rejoicing, and even more invigorated to proclaim life, offer the hope of Christ, and tangible resources to help women know there are far better options than abortion. That number seems inflated to me, but the “defender” said it was based on the clinic’s research. We know our presence affects the abortion rate because women leave and choose life and we help them with resources and mentorship programs. However, it was rather astonishing that the abortion defender thought we would be sorrowful over that fact...

On the wave of that encouraging news, I received a text from a beautiful mother who had just given birth to her precious daughter. She had gone to that very abortion center several months ago, feeling hopeless and confused facing an unexpected pregnancy. She took the literature I offered that shows fetal development through the entire pregnancy. It had my name and number on it. She went in to the center, but left, convicted by the information we provided that she should not take her innocent child’s life. Several weeks later, she called me. She could use help, and wondered if and how we could help.

We talked about many things, including God. She asked Jesus to be Lord of her life and quickly fell head over heels in love with her baby. She told me the baby’s birthday was the best day of her life. She also told me that if we had not been on the sidewalk that day, she would never have known the incredible blessing that now filled her life with joy.

She also texted that her mother flew in to town when she gave birth. I asked how her mother felt about the beautiful new baby. This was her response (my comments are in green):


All of us who speak for the unborn and offer the conflicted moms resources that can help them choose life know the truth. We know that God’s design for a woman to love her child is the only path that leads to joy. However, it was still an amazing encouragement to hear the abortion center corroborate that we are making an astonishing difference in the battle for the rights of the unborn.

************

Psalm 119:92-93 


If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Jeremiah 9:24 


But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Psalm 51:15-17 


O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Luke 14:12-14 

  

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”





Tuesday, July 24, 2018

She Just Wanted to Leave that Abortion Center As Fast as Possible....


Five women chose life at the southeast’s busiest abortion center yesterday. One appeared to be under coercion from a boyfriend. He was clearly furious as they drove away. That woman faces a hard road ahead trying to stick to her resolve. Another pulled over to accept our gifts and offers of help, but would not pause long to learn about all our resources. Not yet.

“I just want to leave this place as fast as possible,” she said, “But thank you. Thank you so much for being here.”

I totally understand.

Our team was made up of two brand new counselors. They know that we stand on the sidewalks of abortion centers speaking for the unborn in obedience to God, but it is always encouraging to see women choose life. We don’t always see it, though that doesn’t mean the time has not been fruitful. God’s word has gone forth, help and the love of God has been proclaimed, and we know that most women who choose life do NOT stop to tell us.

I remind our volunteers, and myself, that if we are standing there smiling and offering God’s truth, hope, and help, we are doing what God has called us to do. And very few people are willing to do even that.

If interested in standing with us, click HERE to set up a time to come shadow our experienced volunteers.
*********

Matthew 19:26 


But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 17:20 


He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”



Sunday, July 22, 2018

Biblical Principles in Reaching Goals



My sweet daughter, Asherel, is determined to bike with her Siberian Husky, Ragnar. Ragnar is residing in my home for a few months as my daughter and her hubby transition through a new job, apartment switch, and last semester of school. Since I am a little hyperactive, Ragnar and I get along great. He runs with me every morning, and then walks every night. When the weather cools off, I am sure we will be even more active. So I warned Asherel that she better start running, since Ragnar is now doing about 5 miles or so every day of walks and runs.

She told me she hates running, but she intended to bike with him. I tried my best to talk her out of this foolishness, but she was insistent. In desperation, I knew that if someone was to die, it must be me. So I began training Ragnar, first just to walk alongside the bike while on leash. I rewarded him lavishly for every positive action. Sitting when I stopped the bike, turning when I turned, not running after squirrels....

Encouraged by how well he did walking on a leash by my bike, I ordered a hands-free “Leash Buddy” dog runner for bicycles. As the experts suggested, I also purchased a harness for Ragnar to use with the leash buddy.

It arrived a few days ago. Ragnar was very excited and eager to try it out. I was a little terrified. However, it went surprisingly well as this video shows you!



Each day, I have been bringing Ragnar out on a bike ride/run. He loves it. We did a three mile run the first morning after the video above. He was flawless. Each afternoon we did a shorter bike/run. I kept my daughter apprised of his progress. Less than a week after starting our training, I felt it was safe suggesting she come try it herself. 


She was so excited. She does not love to run or to go on long walks, but she likes to bike. She was thrilled to see how happy Ragnar was trotting beside her.  “I honestly didn’t think he would learn this so quickly,” she told me.

Now Ragnar is the smartest dog I have ever worked with, and among the most eager to please. However, I was surprised too by how quickly he mastered this endeavor. There are some principles that I used in training him to do this that I think are key in encouraging others (canine or human) to joyfully learn and embrace new things. I think they are Biblical principles as well.

1. Be confident the goal is worthy and within your grasp. (Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible with God.)
2. Be consistent, doing a little each day to reach the goal. (Proverbs 6:6-9 Go to the ant, O sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise.Without having any chief officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.)
3. Do only enough for the day, without overwhelming the student with all they will need to know to complete the task. (Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.)
4. Be joyful and be sure the student is joyful as they learn. Reward lavishly! (Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.)
5. Rejoice when the student reaches the goal (Luke 6:23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven...)









Thursday, July 19, 2018

But God Said No: A Story About Choosing Life





I met this woman almost four years ago. She was very abortion determined. I met her on the sidewalks of the abortion center as a Cities4Life counselor, and talked her into going on the RV parked up the street which was equipped with a mobile ultrasound unit. She chose life...tenuously. She returned a second time to abort, and ended up on the HELP Monroe Mobile Ultrasound RV, which partners with Cities4Life to help moms consider options other than abortion.

I just happened to call her that day, having no idea that her thoughts had shifted back to abortion. I was out of town at the time, and had suddenly thought of her. As often happens, God had nudged me at a fortuitous time to connect with her. She told me she had returned to abort, but knew it was wrong. Even at that point, she was still wavering! She didn’t want to abort, but she needed positive voices reminding her of the blessings and truth of God’s guidance, as well as the many resources available through our ministry and others to help her. She decided at that point, (again!), that God would not have her take her child’s life. I pulled over in my car and prayed with her, and encouraged her to remain firm in her choice for life. It was not an easy decision for her. There were several weighty struggles in her life.

Not long after that, Cities4life provided a free 3d ultrasound. She discovered that she was going to have a girl. She had other children — all boys. This child she almost aborted was her only girl.

Struggles abounded. I will not share all the details, but use your imagination. Just about any trial she could be smacked with came her way. She would often call and admit that she had not been following God’s way. Things would rapidly sour. She usually called when she had come to a renewed realization that she must obey God, no matter what. Each time, she would turn to God and listen to Him, her life would shift in a positive direction. Each time she would tell me she should have trusted God sooner.

This precious woman,  my friend for all these years, called me yesterday. Her little girl will be three this weekend.
“God sure has a way of proving who He is and what He can do,” V said to me. “I was doing my best to get an abortion, but God said NO. And not only did He send me my only daughter, but he sent her on my birthday.” The little baby girl was not due on V’s birthday, but God was making an important point.

She was calling me yesterday to tell me that all the things that had been crashing around her had been restored. Her car, her work, her health, and even the potential for her dream job. She told me the redemption began when she abandoned her plans, and decided to give God full rein. She said Yes to God and her life was transformed.

So Happy Birthday to my friend, a courageous women who listened to God. When He said No to abortion, she found herself blessed with one of the greatest joys of her life. I asked her what her little girl had taught her about God.

“Live by His word, and your blessing will come to fruition sooner.”
*************

Proverbs 3:5-6 


Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Pleading for Life


Proverbs 31:8-9 Amplified Bible 

Open your mouth for the mute,

For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;






Today, one woman we know of chose life at the busiest abortion center in the Southeast. My prayer is others we don’t know about did as well. Many do not stop to tell us since the “pro-choice” cotillion out there tell them not to talk to us. This deprives them of the wealth of resources we are eager to offer them. Despite the warnings of the “pro-choice” crowd, one man pulled over to speak to one of our counselors on his way out.

He was distraught. His heart was broken. His wife was aborting their 9-week-old child. He had pleaded with her to let their child live. He had tried everything he knew to try. She was not forthcoming on the reason for aborting. He suspected infidelity. Whether the baby was his or not, he told me, “That’s no reason to kill a kid.” He would raise the baby himself, he told his wife. She refused to discuss it. 

“You can tell when something’s wrong,” he told me, “When someone is lying to you. I know she is lying. I met her in a Sunday School class. She used to know God. I am not so sure anymore.” The woman would be taking the abortion pill, he told us. His eyes were filled with tears.

We told the young man all hope was not lost. I urged him to somehow bury for now the pain of the possible infidelity and focus on how to save the baby. We would help him with free counseling resources and spiritual help for his marriage if he wanted down the road, but first, let’s try to save the baby. 

We gave him the hotline number and webpage for abortion pill reversal. We explained the process. We told him about the resources Cities4life could offer and how we could help with any struggle the couple faced. Then we prayed with him.

I am home now, waiting and praying. Please pray with me. God is big enough to save this marriage and this baby, but He will not force a right choice on any of us.  It is so easy sometimes to forget that a choice for abortion does not ONLY harm the baby.

***********


Wednesday, July 11, 2018

What Do You Fear the Most?





While on a run, I passed a woman walking three dogs. I read the message in large letters on the back of her shirt: what do you fear the most?

God jerked me to a stop in front of her. The dogs stopped sniffing the bushes to turn their snouts in my direction.  God insisted I needed to ask that woman how she would answer that question. 

“What do you fear the most?” I asked.
She looked up, surprised.
“I don’t know...maybe pain. Yes, pain.”
“I would answer it differently. I most fear the one who determines where I spend eternity.”
“Oh, I would never begin to think in those terms,” the woman said.
“Where will you go when you die?” I asked her. “Heaven or hell?”
“I never thought much about it,” she said.
“Do you mind if I talk with you about that?”
“No. I don’t mind. I am just walking the dogs.”
“Do you believe in God?”
“I don’t know. I DO believe in evil.”’
“Why?” I asked.
“Well, I’ve seen it.”
“And you know it when you see it?”
“Yes.”
“What is the worst evil?”
She thought for a moment, and then said, “I suppose the Bible would say Satan.”
“Why?” I asked. “What did he do that was evil?”
She again paused. “I don’t know. I guess he defied God.”
“But you don’t believe in God...so how do you know if something is evil or not? I mean there are sociopaths who think harming others is ok. Does that make it ok?”
“No.”
“Well is there an absolute standard then that determines good or evil?”
“Well it evolves...i mean we used to say slavery was good and now we say it is not.”
“So did good or evil change? Was slavery good when we said it was...or was it always bad?”
She agreed it was always bad.
“Then you have agreed there is a standard that is unchanging that determines good and evil. So if there is a standard...who put it there? Doesn’t there need to be a standard giver?”
She did not think there needed to be...but was uncertain. She agreed that unless there was an absolute standard then good and evil were meaningless, fluid, relative to circumstances, and dependent on the feelings or whims of each one of us. Yet she knew in her heart that there is evil and she knew it when she saw it.
“That’s because God writes it on our hearts,” I told her.
“I can agree that God could be our conscience.”
“So are you going to heaven, if there is such a place?”
“Well, I believe I am a good person who is human and makes mistakes, but I have a good heart.”
“May I ask you some questions about that?”
“Sure.”

I went through a few of the Ten Commandments. It didn’t take long for her to admit she wasn’t as good as she thought she was. She agreed she was a lying, thieving, blaspheming, adulterous, murderer by God’s standards. She also agreed that transgressing the law should be punished. She agreed that a good judge would not let lawless behavior go without consequence. She agreed all humans sin. She agreed that if God existed, He had the right to set the penalty for sin, and that He must punish sin if He was a perfect judge. 

We had been walking and talking about forty minutes by now. I suddenly realized I didn’t know her name, nor had I offered mine.
“I am sorry, I don’t even know your name,” I said.
“Vicky,” she answered.
I was silent, staring at her.
“With a y?” I asked finally.
“Yes....”
“Well my name is also Vicky...with a Y. Is yours short for Victoria?”
“No. Just Vicky.”
“Mine too,” I said. “Now if you ask me, this alone might prove that God exists.”

As we walked on, I shared the Gospel. She listened intently, and asked many questions. When I finished, I said, “So if Jesus is who He claims to be and we do not accept His offer to pay the penalty we deserve, we are going to pay the penalty ourselves. And that is death, eternal separation from God, Hell. Which returns me to where we started...what it says on the back of your shirt.”

“What does it say on the back of my shirt?”she asked. “It’s a Goodwill find. I don’t even know what it says.”

I laughed. “It says ‘What do you most fear?’ That’s why I stopped to talk to you...I read your shirt. You must have thought I was a lunatic asking you that out of the blue!”
“No...I just thought you must have been thinking about that on your run.”

In the end, I of course extended an invitation to ask Jesus to be her Lord, but she was not ready for that. However, she thanked me and told me she had enjoyed our talk. Honestly, I am somewhat surprised at myself. I don’t often stop strangers on the street in that manner. However, her shirt asked me a question I instantly knew the answer to. I most fear being separated from God...and that very God was the one shoving me forward saying, “Find out what she most fears...and then help her know MY truth.”
***********


Proverbs 14:27 


The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 1:7 


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 111:10 


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Proverbs 19:23   

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

Proverbs 8:13  

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Luke 12:4-5 


“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!



Monday, July 9, 2018

Blessings Shall Overcome You


And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Exodus 28:2

This beautiful lady, who I will call Sara, standing between the two Cities4Life counselors, experienced a miracle of God on one of the darkest places on earth— an abortion center. She gave me permission to share her story. She had brought a friend who wanted to abort. Sara tried to talk her friend out of it. Sara listened to us on the sidewalk calling out to every woman entering the clinic, offering hope and help. She came towards us. The “pro-choice” escorts did their best to dissuade her from talking with us, but she ignored them. She told us she had done all she knew to do to talk her friend out of the abortion, and it was really not her business.

I convinced her it was her business, and there were things she could tell her friend that might change her mind. Sara listened respectfully, took our information pamphlet, and agreed to try again. She was not successful, but decided to come on the Monroe HELP Pregnancy Center RV with the mobile ultrasound unit as she thought she herself might be pregnant. 

She was not, but in the course of our discussion, we shared the Gospel. Though Sara had been raised in church, she said she had never really asked Jesus to be Lord. Also, now she recognized that perhaps she had not really been living for Him as she should. She wanted to ask Him to be her Lord and Savior then on the RV. We prayed with her as she did so.

We gave Sara information to share with her friend in case she went through with the abortion. The nurse, Sherry, also gave her resources in case the friend unexpectedly chose life. Then Sara left, and we sat down to write our notes for the day. Suddenly there was a piercing scream. Sara came bounding onto the RV and threw her arms around Megan and me.

“She didn’t do it!!! She didn’t do it!!!!!”she cried with joy.

How like God to reward the faith of a contrite spirit submitted to Him in such an immediate and unexpected way.

Our team gave Sara’s friend a blessing bag as they drove away. The pregnant friend had a huge smile on her face, but not as radiant as Sara’s.
********

Later, I wrote Sara’s story and sent her the rough draft, asking if it was okay if I shared it. She read it over and sent me this beautiful response:




Sunday, July 8, 2018

Why We Have Hope Even When It Seems Unlikely We Can Succeed



The dog in the photo didn’t move off his bed all morning. He ran 4 1/2 miles with me today, which was the furthest he had yet run with me. He had led a fairly sedentary life before he came to live with us temporarily. Due to his mom and dad working and in school, he spent a lot of time sleeping. Then, he came to stay for a few months with us while his human folks go through some transitions in housing/work.  As anyone knows who knows me, I don’t do “rest.” My “rest” is found in activity...lots of it. Ragnar was in for an abrupt change of lifestyle.

When he first came he could not even run a mile. His tongue would hang a few yards out of his mouth, and he would drag far behind. I encouraged him to stay the course, but he looked at me mournfully. Walks, never runs,  up to that point in his life involved stopping to sniff and pee on every bush. Our first run together was not very promising. This sled dog, bred to travel hundreds of miles on frozen tundra, was the most out-of-shape dog I knew. At first I thought he was just lazy...but I think he just had never been challenged to any test of endurance.  

I slowly built his mileage, bringing him with me on my daily run for a short portion of it, and building his stamina on walks at least twice a day. Our runs began as walk/runs...walk ten minutes, run five.  As in all things, his daily exercise and increased expectations gradually led to increased strength and stamina. His tongue was not quite as long, his panting not quite as fast, his expression not quite as hang-dog.

And after about two months, he is running 45 minutes straight, 4 1/2 miles. He deserves to rest all morning. He has earned it.


This is an important spiritual principle. What we exercise becomes stronger. I believe this is part of the reason God is forever sending and/or allowing opposition to enter our lives. If we are just cruising along with no need to challenge our spiritual muscles of faith, perseverance, hope, and reliance on God...we will not have those qualities to call upon when we most need them. 

Our sermon Sunday was about facing opposition and maintaining hope in the midst of great trials. It was perfect timing in terms of what our Cities4Life teams increasingly face on the sidewalks of the busiest abortion center in the Southeast. There is ALWAYS opposition to our mission to share the love and truth of Jesus and offer tangible support to dissuade women from considering abortion. Lately, that opposition seems to have ramped up.

Our pastor made three points about why we should remain hopeful in the face of adversity.
1. Recognize there is always and always has been opposition to God’s work. There is always opposition to the Gospel. Jesus Himself faced continual opposition. So did all God’s people whose stories are shared throughout the Bible. Expect opposition.
2. Always hope because God’s work always gets through opposition. Opposition does not mean we are forgotten. We are called to perseverance, not to comfort. All the promises God makes WILL come to fruition. Maybe not on our timetable, but always on time.
3. God is always at work and His Word is powerful. Always point those who oppose us back to God’s word. We can have hope because we know God’s word is active, alive, and never returns void.

Throughout the sermon, I thought of the latest opposition out on the sidewalk. The adversary is foolish...but relentless. However, as usual, the encouragement from the Bible gave me renewed hope and vigor. In fact, it confirmed and energized me to return to our vital work proclaiming life.

So did the efforts of this good dog, who continues to ask me to go for a run each morning, knowing he is going to be DOG TIRED when he returns but also knowing he has persevered and emerged victorious..




Colossians 1:11-12 


May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Hebrews 10:39 


But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

2 Peter 3:9   

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

James 1:12 


Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

This Trouble is From the Lord...Why Wait on Him?



“And while he was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him and said, "This trouble is from the Lord! Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?"”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭

After the impatient messenger spoke these words in the midst of a terrible famine, Elisha told him that food would soon be plentiful. No one believed him. the prophecy seemed impossible. And yet...it happened. The Arameans, the enemies who had besieged the people and caused the famine had inexplicably fled, leaving behind food and riches. Just as Elisha had prophesied, God had brought a miraculous end to the time of starvation at the hands of enemies.

How often do we throw our hands up in discouragement, facing troubles that God COULD have prevented? How often do we give up because like the messenger, we have decided it is not worth waiting on the Lord any longer?

There are situations about which I have prayed for years to be transformed. I wait and wait, thinking surely God wants what I want here! Why is He tarrying? Why does He not restore, repair, redeem NOW, when it is so clear it would bring Him glory and ME relief???

Admit it. I am not alone in my impatience.

In the passage I cited from 2 Kings, two women in the midst of the famine resorted to eating one of their babies! This may seem extreme, but how different are we from those desperate women, tired of waiting on God and taking matters into their own hands?

One out of four people have had an abortion. 
Half of marriages end in divorce.
Suicide ideation and attempts among teens and young adults has DOUBLED in the past decade.

Why wait upon the Lord when all these wonderful solutions to the struggles of life are available? 

From our perspective, our troubles seem overwhelming. That feeling of despair is not unique to the tumult of modern life. Back to that passage in 2 Kings, listen to the response of the people Elisha urged to wait upon God’s plan in the midst of the famine rather than their own: The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?”

Incredulity.  Surely God could not bring about a solution to this impossible situation.

Except He could...and He did.

2 Kings 7:5-8 
[5] At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, no one was there, [6] for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!” [7] So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives. [8] The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp, entered one of the tents and ate and drank. Then they took silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also.

I have been out of town nearly 2 1/2 weeks. It has been a restful break from the deluge of impossible situations I face along with my fellow Cities4life sidewalk counselors at the busiest abortion center in the Southeast. It has been very restorative, though in the midst of the break, I did receive calls from some of the moms I work with or volunteers I work with, some with difficult issues that were not easy to solve. How quickly I dissolve in discouragement when God does not intervene and solve what I know He could in the wink of an eye if He wanted. 

In the peace of the vast, quiet desert near Tucson where my parents live who I am visiting, I had long hikes and time to ponder and listen to God. In my daily Bible reading, I also read about Elisha’s predecessor, Elijah. After his astonishing victory over the prophets of the false God, Baal, Elijah faced great discouragement and despair. The evil queen Jezebel was more determined than ever to destroy Elijah. He ran through the desert, and then collapsed and asked God to just kill him now.

Did God strike Jezebel dead and restore peace, prosperity, and His righteous kingdom to counter Elijah’s despair?

No. 

He first encouraged Elijah to sleep, and eat, then eat and sleep some more. Then He told Elijah that contrary to how Elijah felt, he was NOT alone. God had preserved a remnant of His followers who would support Elijah. And God soon thereafter sent Elijah his special friend and protege, Elisha. Then God offered Elijah a rare glimpse of God’s physical presence.

I pondered this story during my own traipsing through the desert. It is a model of ministry as well as a model of how God often responds to me when I have reached the end of myself.

1. Meet the immediate, pressing physical needs such as food and rest
2. Assure those in struggles they are not alone.
3. Bring them into the presence of God and the truth of His promises.

Elijah was rejuvenated, and went on to anoint Elisha to take over when Elijah’s work on earth was done. God did not reveal the entirety of His plan but did provide revelation at the perfect time. Just like He provided just enough manna for each day to His people as they traversed the desert en route to the promised land, He gave only what was needed for the immediate moment. They learned to trust that He would provide for the future as well. 

So, why wait upon the Lord any longer? Ultimately,  God’s plan will be fully revealed and His people fully redeemed. Until then, as those stories from the lives of Elijah and Elisha demonstrated, wait upon the Lord because He has shown over and over that He can be trusted.

So I return to the sidewalk of the busiest abortion center in the Southeast today. My team and I will speak on behalf of the babies who cannot speak for themselves and offer the mothers hope and resources so they may incline to a choice for life. We will try to meet their pressing physical needs, assure them they are not alone and provide a mentor through LoveLife Charlotte, then fill their spirit with the truth and hope of Jesus Christ and His redemptive mercy and grace.

And when we have done all we are called to do, then we wait upon the Lord.




********

Isaiah 35

The Ransomed Shall Return

35 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
    the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly
    and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
    the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
    the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,
    and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
    “Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
    will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
    He will come and save you.”