Thursday, August 1, 2019

About Those Mysterious Ways

Sixteen years ago we moved to England. We spent six mostly glorious, sometimes challenging, oftentimes edifying, ever so memorable years living in a small village not far from London.

People moved in and out of the country on a regular basis which meant every single year you were forced to bid tearful goodbyes to once-upon-a-time strangers who had quickly become dear friends. And every single year you learned to re-open your heart and home and welcome the new strangers who in the blink of an eye would also become cherished friends.

For five years I hosted a women's bible study in my home, and the women who walked in and out of my great big front door, the one with no handle and the old fashioned bell, were some of the most extraordinary women I've ever had the privilege to know.

One of those women I'll call K. Her husband was in the Air Force so they left the UK around the same time we did and have moved several times since because that's the nature of the Air Force. We've also moved several times because that's just what we do. ahem I haven't seen my friend K since we left England ten years ago.

On Saturday night my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson had dinner in her home.

In South Korea.

Because she too is currently residing there with her family, and because God is so incredibly good to remind us He goes before us in the hard things. The not so hard things too but maybe we look for Him a little more in the hard.

I can never get over the smallness of this great big world.

The 'kids' are doing great as they settle in to their new life on the other side of the globe, but knowing someone is there to 'welcome the new strangers' is such a gift, and one for which I feel tremendous gratitude.

When I started this blog we lived across the pond and I had this verse in my header-

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:9-10

It was a verse I took great comfort in and one that came to the top of my brain as my daughter talked about having dinner in their home.

Even on the far side of the sea He remembers us.
He guides us.
He holds us fast.

13 comments:

  1. Okay, this brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart. I never cease to be amazed at how God is in the smallest and biggest details of our lives. Thanks for sharing. Blessings abundant!

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  2. I.LOVE.THIS! How amazing is God when "coincidences" like these happen. What a blessing!

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  3. I am constantly reminded about what a small world this is. How wonderful that your long ago new friend is now your daughter's new friend!

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  4. Sometimes the world is indeed very small.

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  5. What a beautiful story, Joyce! What a comfort to see God's activity on behalf of your family in such a marvelous way. I just love this!

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  6. I enjoy your Blog very much. Although I've never lived on either side of the "big pond"I can relate to finding those "God-instances" though out my life when I open my eyes and heart to see them. I too, have verses from the Bible I stand on and find comfort and peace in. In fact I have a daily verse delivered to my phone ... and so often, isn't it just like God to deliver the very word I need!

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  7. Wonderful verse to be encouraged by...

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  8. This made me tear up as I read it because truly how well I know that God goes before us. What a wonderful God we serve and I couldn't help thinking about sowing and reaping - what you sowed into the ladies' lives there in one part of the world, you are reaping now in the caring of your daughter's family in another part of our big/small world. So touching.

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  9. He truly goes before us and lights our path along the way. What a blessing for your daughter to have God's special gift waiting for her. I can only imagine the comfort this also brings to you to know there is someone there to support and love your sweet family.

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  10. Amen and Alleluiah!!!! He always provides. He always takes care of us. For He loves us so!
    This made my heart so warm not only for your kiddos but also for your peace of mind.

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  11. That is so wonderful. What a blessing from God. Very touching post. I'm happy that they had dinner together.

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  12. Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful thought with us!

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