PURE JOY

My conclusions from giving up sugar entirely for three weeks can wait until tomorrow. First, I wanted to follow up yesterday's post with a short explanation of one of the greatest lessons the Lord taught me in 2020.

I can now testify to the very real possibility of obeying what the Spirit commands in James 1:2-3 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because (There's that word again!) you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." 

I survived some crazy trials in 2020 and now I'm working on James 1:4 - "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." I've got a long way to go, but it's an exciting period in my life.

To be sure, I miss Haiti. I love my friends, co-workers and students there and I long to be with them still. I have never gotten more satisfaction out of work, or felt a better fit, than during my time as a teacher at Cap-Haitien Christian School. Our departure from Haiti was painful (to put it mildly!) and I truly wish things had turned out differently. 

But I have found joy because the trials have strengthened my faith. And what could be a greater cause for celebration than that?

Therefore, I can honestly say I hold no grudge against any individual or organization and I would welcome reconciliation with absolutely anyone who has done even intentional harm to me or my family. And doubly so with anyone who feels I have done harm to him or her.

Joy crowds out any desire to bear a grudge, seek revenge, or nurse anger. (Besides, the Lord doesn't give us the option to do any of those things, anyway, especially in our dealings with brothers and sisters in Christ.)