It almost wasn’t beautiful until it was. The plants in an arboretum were plastered against a window, straining for clarity, desperate for light. Just having warm, humid conditions wasn’t enough. Light from one of Edison’s bulbs wasn’t enough either; they wanted more, more light.
I can relate to those plants. After many years in Thailand, I too have come to prefer light and humidity. Walking through the tropical zone at that arboretum, my bones started to thaw, and most everyone else was starting to sweat. It was almost like being back…I could almost write “back home”, but we don’t know where home is anymore, or at least home this side of heaven.
The few moments of walking through those familiar plants taught me a valuable lesson: I too need to stay plastered to the Light. There are so many distractions, so much darkness, so much sadness.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
We will make another trip to Northwestern for regular scheduled testing on January 20th. Your prayers for us at this time, for our travels and testing results, are truly appreciated. Chris has been sick multiple times over the last six weeks, but has recently recovered without antibiotics. We pray that his cough will resolve and that we can persevere through this season of more illness.
We are very thankful for the Christmas time spent with family and friends. We are also thankful to be back to school and work.
Chris and I both work from home, juggling our respective meetings and responsibilities. His work initiatives continue to take shape and now include supervision of a new staff member. I was asked to join a working group focused on organizational health and wellbeing. We appreciate your prayers as we continue to settle into our roles in this new context.
Finally, we ask for your prayers for our missionary friends from Thailand as they return to the US for cancer treatment; our hearts are breaking for them. We may even see them on Tuesday.
Lord, thank you for your true light. Help us to stay plastered to you, your truth, your hope, so that your light of life in us will give witness to your loving-kindness.
Chris & Rebecca – thanks for sharing! So, you’re working with folks back in Thailand again – remotely… that has to be a challenge in itself. May the Lord give you both much grace to live skin&bone in Michigan with your kids, and work through screens with colleagues in Thailand on the other side of the world. I do that a lot with my liaison work in French-speaking Africa, but I do have a few people I relate to stateside in my role. Pray for our daughter Kate – to continue teaching at Grace she has to get certification and has been accepted with LibertyOnline to get an MA in art education, and it’s been challenging for her to discern how remain in Thailand and complete the MA as a full-time student and yet also have a visa to stay in the country. Thanks! Chris, standing with you for healing & wholeness – that the check-up will come back clean!
Thank you Chris and Rebecca. Staying close to the light is the proper direction for all of us at all times. Jesus is the light in the darkness and the darkness did not understand it.
Thank you for sharing; we are turning with you toward the Light and we are praying with you and for you!
I’ve been reflecting on this Morning Blessing by Jan Richardson:
“Christ our Light, with every morning you welcome us into the world and with your lavish care you meet our hunger and our thirst. Give us eyes to see the feast you have placed within these hours: hallowed, holy, blessed day….Into your hands, O God we give this day.”
We understand the feeling of light and humidity only too well, having thrived in the Amazon rainforest for 20 years under similar conditions. We don’t always understand the immense amount of pain you have suffered over these last couple of years plus the disappointment of not being in Thailand for that period of time. The question, “Where are you from?” or “ Where is home?” is increasingly difficult to answer and makes people uncomfortable when your answer isn’t what they expected. Our home is where we feel called to live and do ministry but real HOME is where we eventually long to be: with HIM.
Beautiful imagery. I’ve been meditating on that verse recently too.
Will pray that for us, you, and our shared friends in crisis.
Love you all so much!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful image and reminder. I am praying for your family right now. As well, your missionary friends as they head to the US for cancer treatment. May they and your family be encouraged by the benediction Pastor Julia shared during the Exodus series….”God be your comfort, your strength; God be your hope and support; God be your light and your way; and the blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer, and Giver of life, remain with you now and forever. Amen.”
As someone having lived on the mission field in Thailand, I appreciate your remark of not having a home this side of earth! I too felt that, and appreciate the comfort this post brings. I pray for comfort for you both and the kids as your transition continues! And I’m praying for your guys’ medical journey! I pray Gods hands of covering and comfort for your family.
Becca, Chris, and Kids,
It was wonderful spending time with you and the family last night!!
We will continue to pray for your family as you continue this journey of finding normalcy in your lives.
Prayers for safe travels to Northwestern, all tests and scans are normal, and safe travels back.
HE is our light and source of hope and joy!
Love you all so much and am selfishly grateful you are here.
Love,
Aunt Dawn & Uncle Doug
Becca and Chris
First I want you say how blessed I am b/c of the beautiful ,heart filled prayers your wonderful family and faith filled community have lifted up.
May God’s light ,His immeasurable riches, Jesus Christ surround,fill,and strengthen you this upcoming week.
Dear Chris, Becca, and kids,
Some thoughts from Psalm 84.
The sparrow has found a home at the altar of the Lord, a place of sacrifice, a place where she may lay her young.
You are going through a valley of weeping but are making it a spring!
You go from strength to strength.
The Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
You are blessed because you trust in Him.
May you be encouraged! Praying for good test results.
Irene Wordhouse
Thank you for your devotional and photos. Praying for your trip to Chicago and for healing and encouragement.
It’s ALWAYS so good to receive your updates so we can pray thank the Lord for answered requests & for your specific needs.
God Bless you as you seek His guidance.
Treasure
Praying on for God’s best in all!