Thoughts on an August Evening

St. Louis, MO -- Oops, it's been longer than I thought since I last posted.

Mostly, I didn't think that I really had much to post about... after all, it's no longer that I climb mountains everyday. :)

However, I have had a few things that keep coming across to me. It's funny how lately every time I think of something, God sends something my way to remind me of His truths and His faithfulness.

It's not funny really... but rather, amazing. Like that song we sang this morning in church. I really thought what Demond said so fit in with everything, and what Pastor Debbie said too. It kinda confirmed for me my observations that I've been thinking about.

Last week was VBS... and on the side, I've had my neice with me for a few days. Children are funny and say the oddest things, and I really enjoy them. But what struck me the most was how kids are so simple and so basic. It's enough for them to know that Jesus loves them and keeps them safe. They have such a simple joy in that.

To me, as we get older (I hear the scoffing now), we tend to get caught up in details. We make things complicated. And while we KNOW these things that kids know, we also know a WHOLE LOT more. What about this? What about that?

That's my personality there. I tend to look at every angle of a situation and ask those questions, as well as 50 other. I propose questions/situations to myself, think through those hypothetical situations, and finally come up with the best plan possible. For me, simplification is difficult.And yet, I watched these kids and just their simple joy and natural reactions to Jesus. I watched them and thought to myself-- Janine, why do you get caught up in everything? Let it go and just be a child with Jesus.

That's a lot harder than it sounds.

Tonight, as I was typing in this address to blog, I was thinking about this whole fundraising endeavor. I know that you don't always immediately see the fruits of your efforts, it's usually as you're leaving that you see it. But I always tell God I'd like to know ahead of time, even if it's just a little, I'd appreciate it.

Next month I start the visa process, full of paperwork. Probably by October/November time it'll be processed and then I'll have 3 months to get to Japan. Which of course means that in December, I need to be operating as if I were in Japan (with funds coming in, so WIM will approve me to go). That's really NOT that far away.

Anyway, I was thinking about it, thinking- ok, what do I need to be doing? Am I being too lax? What more can I be doing? "You know, with the economy the way that it is, and so many stories of difficulties, this isn't the SMARTEST time to be trying to raise $3500 per month..."

So, I log in, and you know how when you log in, there's a new verse (which often corresponds to me) on the home page for you?

Mine today was Proverbs 16:3-- Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.Really. Really?? One of those moments that you just KNOW that it's for you. And there have been so many of those lately... which is good... I've needed it.

I've really been impressed by the beauty of God... how extraordinarily complex and gigantuous; yet how simple He deals and how personal He is. He's not an idea or a force, as many people think. He's a Father. A Friend. He has emotion like us. He loves and taught us what love is. I like that I can relate in a miniscule scale to how He feels; I can interact and react. And while I don't have the answers to all those millions of questions I have (and generally try to answer on my own), and sometimes I'm worried because I'm not sure of the best route, I know that He has the answer. I know if I just run to Him, I can get all those things relieved.

Just like a child.