Jeff & Angie

The Waiting Game

April 10, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

The title is actually an oxymoron. Or seems to me. Waiting is no game.

Games are meant to be fun…waiting is usually tied and constricted to enduring. Or in my book that’s been the experience. Patience. Or the lack there of shows up in in the waiting game.

When you’re waiting, you like to stay busy–did I say “you”? I meant me. Totally pinning this on myself. I LIKE TO STAY BUSY.

It makes the wait shorter–or seems to. Time flies then.

The day I took this picture I was outside waiting, just like these two. But my wait was short compared to theirs. Their wait was a life time. All for a concrete floor.

The team of men and us two girls who tagged along (yes, I did just call Rene and myself girls), were preparing and creating a concrete floor for some homeowners in Honduras. Their first one. It would be in the living area–which is also the sleeping area. The only other area in the house was the kitchen. The men in the group were creating concrete mixture of substance that they then carried in buckets and dumped it in the middle of the floor and two men started spreading. Everyone wanted to help. We had men shoveling sand (Rene and I helped in this) and men mixing, men carrying water, and men smoothing the mixture. On hands and knees these two worked–smoothing out, spreading more–smoothing out– making sure this floor was as substantial as possible working with what they had.

The living area was small and dark. The pock holes in the metal roof looked like stars were shining in the daylight. However, those same pock holes meant that rain water created rivers inside the house. Water had the potential to carve out gullies where they slept. And more often than not, it did.

This was June of 2013. I remember the feel of the air–the sounds and the smells. It, like every other mission trip, put a mark on my heart. This was one of three trips I took without Jeff. I prefer the ones with him…but God used these to work on “me”. To help me see what was in my life that I could do without…

As we prepare for Bolivia and the children’s crusade, He’s doing that again. God is showing me what I can do without…and there are still many things. As much as I have sliced away at my belongings, there’s still more. But now, He’s slicing away at other things. Harbored hurts. And it has brought me to my knees. And this morning as I said aloud, “Jesus…loves….me”– I realize fresh there are millions and millions who have no idea that Jesus loves them enough that He came and died for them.

Our hearts desire is to do more and more for Jesus–and for those He puts into our lives. Even though, at times, like NOW, the wait seems long. We really only have 50 days to take off!

50 DAYS!

Can I tell you something? We have a few team members who are having some difficulty with raising the remainder of their funds. Can you help us pray for them? Everyone (including Jeff and myself) are responsible for their trip funds. And we’ve been doing everything from cleaning a house or two, sewing dresses, selling “Thirty-One”– to construction work.

If God lays it on your heart to give–please consider donating to the “team member in need”. They have a work to do–God has already assigned them. I know–from my past experience in this that God grows our faith in these times. And it is the efforts of many that much work is done.

Perhaps you can’t go, maybe have no desire to go–that’s okay! God loves using people like you to help send! Yay! Your heart and talents may be IN giving!

It is with grateful hearts that we will go and share the gospel of Jesus–and YOU, my dear precious reader, can have a part in that. Those who give has just as much a part as those who go!

Thank you …. for helping. Thank you for praying and sending and donating. Your faith is an action.

And our waiting… feels more like a game. Because we are seeing God do so much-sowing and reaping, through faithful hearts and lives.

Easter, faith

Pray

April 4, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

He went out and made His way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He reached the place, He told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me–nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:39-42 HCSB

The evening had come, the supper partaken.

The sounds from the city wide festivities created a background noise in the room, which seemed to echo the history rehearsed at the table. This night, would embed itself into the minds of the disciples as nothing else, until the cross. From the water trickling over their feet as Jesus knelt before them, to the dipping of the bread, —as each word spoken by Him would hang in the air- they would soon see Him on the cross.

But before the cross, came the garden. The place they must have gone time and time again for rest, relaxation. A familiar place that perhaps had peaceful memories, but tonight- their failure to be watchful, would haunt their hearts.

They are weary. And who could blame them? The sun beating down, walking for miles and miles, days on end, that is wearying enough. But now, the temperature is cooler and with appetites satiated, they seem carefree. The dangers Jesus had spoken of earlier–now a distant conversation as they joy in the songs and being with Him alone, rather than sharing His presence with thousands.

Their eyes adjusted to the moonlit night in such a way that they have no difficulty seeing where they are going. They find a comforting spot to rest as He instructs, “pray that you might not enter into temptation”.

That seems to be the struggle with many. I know I struggle with praying–not the words so much, as the purpose of getting away with Jesus. I let too many hindrances take rule in that area. My attention gets diverted by the activities of so many things going on at one time– and I succumb to the busy rather than the quiet He instructs…. “pray that you might not enter into temptation.”

And pages before we found Martha–she was busy about some good things–necessary things, but Mary…Mary had chosen the better. Jesus confirmed it. The better.

There are things that clamor daily for our attention. Yours and mine. And more often than not, I let the wrong thing rule.

The better thing is to come aside with Him in the garden, pray with Him. But here I sit, asleep. You too maybe?

I have watched and participated in many Passion Plays –and with each one, rehearsing the story over and over, reading it for myself from the thin pages of my Bible, I could see it unfold. Yet, we tell the PG rated version– because in reality, our minds and eyes couldn’t not handle the full truth of the passion of Jesus Christ.

I remember watching the movie, “The Passion of The Christ” in a theater, and left that night in such anguish. I could hear people all over the theater sobbing– and I did my best to hold in as much as I could–but my guts clinched and my tears ran like rivers, as I watched-what was more like the truth of what Jesus actually endured that night. We can’t fully know. We couldn’t handle fully knowing.

When we left the theater that night, neither one of us could speak for what seemed like hours. Conversation seemed trivial. It was as if what He had done for humanity had come home in our hearts. And we would never be the same.

Today, Saturday– I know He’s at the right hand of The Father, forever making intercession–but THAT Saturday, His disciples were mourning–they were remembering…

“Pray, that you might not enter into temptation”….

faith, Missions

I Just Did It!

February 20, 2015April 17, 2023 A. Knight

“Just do it!” A phrase coined by the Nike Corporation to inspire us to get up off the couch and go to it! Get those new Nike brand shoes, because surely, that’s where the answer to life lies…in the sole of a shoe.

Their take on it was simple–if you have a body, you are an athlete.

When I first began blogging– I really didn’t know where this vehicle would take me…but looking back, I see that I’ve gone (via cyber-space) to the far reaches of the world. And I took the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I “just did it”.

I have a friend who loves Jesus with all her heart. She wanted to be a missionary when she was young, but because of decisions and circumstances in her life-before she came to know Jesus– the answer was no. Not no from God, but “no” from the office where she inquired.

Thankfully, God didn’t accept the “no”. He didn’t depend on the “no”. He gave her a tool to use, birthed that same desire in her child, and low and behold, her typing fingers, blogging heart, and desire to share what God has done for her and will do for others, she is a missionary. To the farthest reaches of the world. She just “did it”. All for His glory and honor…

There have been so many times that things looked impossible. The road, impassable. The idea, improbable. But God.

But GOD –Giver of life--planted an idea. Sowed into you and me a desire to “do it”… the job of telling others about Jesus Christ–my Savior-when I was at my very lowest, most displeasing state of being… He. Loved. Me.

He didn’t don His Holy Nike shoes, He went barefoot–to the cross.

No, I don’t know if perhaps part of the way He had His sandals. It’s not written in Holy Scripture. What I can imagine, His torturers were so intent on making things as miserable for Him as possible–beating Him almost to death–scourging Him, lashing Him, piercing His brow, I don’t imagine they left His shoes on to protect His feet on the road to Golgotha –the place of the skull.

I don’t know if He ever said those words, “just do it”....but that was the mindset He had when He arose from kneeling- in the garden- spying His followers, asleep on the job. He saw their weakness beyond their pledged allegiance. And yet, even then, eyes on their sleeping selves, He loved them so tenderly and dearly, He went to the cross to “just do it”. Intent. Purposed. Knowing -tears come in the night–but JOY cometh…. in the morning.

My heart is so burdened for the lost. Even right now, tears form and spill because I see me in their eyes. I see where I was before Christ. I see the desperation to find something to fill that empty life–that hole in my heart that only God can truly fill…

What has God assigned to you, friend?

Have you followed through?

Or, are you in the “waiting room”? Oh, that’s a tough place to be (I’m there).

You know your assignment, but the door hasn’t appeared–YET.

Keep a strong heart.

Believe what He told you.

Go back to the day He said it–and remind the enemy that you have a purpose and you won’t stop until you fulfilled His calling on your life…no matter who says “no”…

Just…do…it…

Our time to impact the world is drawing to a close–the signs are in every news story. The world is hurting–raging–and chaotic. Peace is only found in the heart of a Believer in Christ–not in the next new pair of name brand shoes… Nike has nothing on the Peace Speaker.

Just do it. Realize you can’t do this life without Him…and seek Him today.

I’m a missionary. Full – time. Whether I’m typing on this keyboard and the reader is in Honduras, Hawaii, or the Himalayas … The message of the love of Jesus Christ is getting out there. And then there are those incredible times–where I actually put the sole of my shoes on foreign soil…and I rejoice in sharing the pictures and stories with you…

My message is simple. Seek Him. Today.

Allow Him to have full control of your heart and life–give Him full access- and see what happens…

Just do it.

Wanda

Wanda and Pinterest and Some Things She Loved

February 11, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Sisters Retreat 2006

I saw today that my little sister, Aimee, had pinned one of my “organizational” pins. I thought as I saw it, Wanda would have loved Pinterest. She would have very organized boards…and she would have more recipes and organizational tools than you could shake a stick at. That was Wanda. Loved to cook and wanted to be organized.

Numerous times, she would call me and we would talk “organizing”. She would call Aimee and they would talk “cooking”. Gosh, I miss those calls.

New Mommy Wanda

Wanda never ever-ever gossiped. Wanda never complained. Or whined. I think that’s why when I hear myself complain, or hear it pouring from the mouth of someone, I want to loudly proclaim– YOU (and I) have NOTHING to complain about. (I just backspaced a bunch of something else I would have said, but you probably don’t want to hear that…)

Mother and I spent a couple of days at my house recently–and I discovered something about mother–that I do. Mother always, always wants to make things better for me. Just like I want to make things better for Tiffany and April. Mother does the same thing for Aimee….and did the same thing with Wanda. That’s mothers. Well, maybe not all mothers, but mine for real.

I remember when I turned mother on to Pinterest. I convinced her it was like holding her very own personalized magazine in her hand (with her Kindle). She could manage her pages, boards, likes, dislikes, etc. And indeed, the woman loves Pinterest. Wanda would have too.

Happy Birthday Wanda 2007

Wanda loved a new cook book. She liked the Taste of Home cook books–and Southern Living. Oh my, she had a bunch (or several–depending on if you are in the northern states reading this, or the southern). I have a couple still, but I passed on most to Valaree and Tiffany and April. I rely on Pinterest recipes a lot. Wanda would have LOVED that option.

Wanda loved a new Bible. I remember I had bought one small enough for my purse, it was two-toned brown leather. It fit nicely in my hand. The first time I showed it to her, she actually spied it in my hand as Beth Moore (on the screen) asked us to take our Bibles and turn to something…I don’t remember what…but Wanda’s eyes got big when she saw my little Bible. I handed it to her. She caressed it like a baby’s arm. She knew full well the Life it contained.

Wanda loved our ladies Bible Studies class. Even that last month she lived, we planned together that since she couldn’t get out much, I would come to her house on Wednesday nights–and we would watch the one from the previous week. It was Stepping Up by @Beth Moore +Living Proof Ministries .

We talked. Cried. Prayed. It was a life changing time for me…as well as Wanda. It was the last Beth Moore study she participated in. We never made it week three. But she indeed “stepped UP”.

It was a full year before I was able to truly put pen to paper and write out my pain and joy.

The pain makes the joy sweeter. The joy makes the pain bearable.

That’s the way God works…and I love Him all the more. For all that He showed me (us) during that time….I would never ever ask her back. Pinterest has NOTHING to compare to what she’s seen. Those who have lost someone, I’m truly sorry for your loss. But don’t ask them back…don’t think thoughts of that. I don’t think there’s anything I would say that I didn’t say to her. We talked for years. We loved and shared and prayed and cried for years. We bore one another’s sorrows. Truly.

Wanda’s favorite color was purple. I’ve talked about it so many times, and a few times, I’ve been given a gift (that is so special to my heart!) after someone read a “purple post”. And a few times I had someone come up to me and say, “I thought of you when I saw this purple -whatever it was-“. That always made me smile.

When my husband returned from a mission planning trip, he brought me back a gift of purple. A teardrop shaped purple stone (for a necklace) from Bolivia. (I love my darling precious husband and all that he is to me.)

Then, the big surprise–quite unexpected, a purple pashmina and purple towel from our friends Joel and Maritza. I love Jeff’s surprise, but I have to confess, the Pashmina was extra special…because of this: they didn’t know about my “purple”. They didn’t know about Wanda’s love of purple–or the fact that February is a special month for us–she was born on Feb. 28, and passed from this life to the next on the 12th. Tomorrow. Seven Years.

It was like a gift from God. I know it came from humans….but still. God knew. As He does all things.

Wanda loved her family, her daughter, Victoria, was the biggest miracle and most precious gift in Wanda’s life. Wanda collected bunnies. Ceramic. They came in all shapes and sizes. Tea pots, figurines, etc. Wanda had a plethora of bunnies. But Wanda wanted a baby. A daughter. And she prayed and believed (despite all nay-sayers), that one day God would indeed grant her prayer. For more than 20 years. And He did. (That’s another blog story for another day)

There are many many things Wanda really enjoyed. But her love–true and deep, was Jesus Christ. She loved her husband, Mark, but he had limitations. Christ Jesus has none. Wanda would want me to remind you of that.

Listen, I know this was long. And a rambly sort of post. And I have much to do today, but I wanted to just share a few things…lest you think I was going to let the day–or this time of year pass by without reminders…I remember.

If you’ve lost someone dear– I know without doubt it’s the most painful thing you’ve ever ever endured. But remember if you can, there is hope. It’s found only in Jesus Christ. He is HOPE. He is everything to me…and He wants to be everything to YOU.

Happy Home Going Day Wanda. We love and miss you–but hang on sista! We are a comin’!

Devotion, faith

The Lost Can Be Found

January 17, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

I woke this morning with a different feeling inside. It started with the unusual dream. Oh how I praise God for that dream! Because I am reminded of His love for the world. Humanity.

I woke up praying in a brand new prayer language. That did something to me-in my heart. My mind.

Yesterday I reflected on how much He wants to spend time with us me, yet we I continually put Him off. We I do this- we I work on that- we I go here and we I go there….putting Him on hold until we I can find time to “sit down”…and then we I forget.

I had to go back and cross out the “we” and show you that it’s me. It is “I” who stays busy~

Last night I had worked on a picture that I had taken at my mothers, adding a verse. It’s a sweet spot in her yard for prayer, conversations with children or grandchildren. It’s a teaching place. A swing positioned right in front of their garden plot. Hanging from a huge oak tree, beside a drooping fenced pasture and scupplin’ vine*, an old swing waits.

Then my computer went blitzy and it locked up and lost it. I couldn’t remember if I had hit “save”…I got aggravated and shut it down and put it away. I had found just the “right verse”.

It’s a wonderful thing about God’s word. It’s alive. Passages I memorized have been coming to my mind frequently–that is The Holy Spirit at work in my busy state of “being”. Reminding me…

To me, my mother’s house is the place where peace is found and felt and relished. It’s hard to explain. I remember my friend Connie Haile and also +Susan K Baldwin, both at different times spending the night with me during a “house sitting” event while they were on a mission trip, or lengthy visit to relatives, and they both said the same thing: “I feel peace here.”

That’s where we rest. In the place of peace. But too often we continue working. Rushing. Spending time doing the deal–we forget His desire to be with us.

Tomorrow is Sunday. If you are in ministry–it’s your busiest day. Don’t neglect the time needed to rest. To just “B”. (As my friend +Betty Shoopman would say.)

God is faithful and HE will meet you in that place…of peace. Rest. Breathe. I can’t tell you how important it is. Even if you can only grab a snippet of time. Take it.

Find that “lost” peace that’s missing from your life. Just like I turned on my computer this morning and opened my pictures in search of another one to work on, there sat the one I made last night…waiting to be used.

The lost can be found. Seek.

Seek.

Photo: (c) Angie Knight Photography.

*scupplin’ vine

Life, Missions

Orphaned

January 15, 2015January 15, 2015 A. Knight

On January 12, 2010, while many of us were planning what to eat for supper, some driving home listening to music or talking on the phone–just living an oblivious life to anything or anyone else (myself included), a catastrophic earthquake shook all thoughts of anything else from the minds of millions.

Registering 7.0, this quake ripped lives apart and forever marked a small country with its devastating whiplash. Because even years beyond the “after shocks”, it’s still reeling.

Jeff went to Haiti with a group of pastors in 2013-and as his heart has always been for little ones, as they crawled up in his lap- they crawled up into his heart. No suitcase was big enough to bring them home- and what to do about the others…

Superintendent Thomas Moore has been instrumental in helping pastors from our area get a clearer picture and better understanding of what missions is all about–by showing them live and in person the reality of this devastation.

The West Florida District is currently raising funds to send a construction team over to repair a damaged roof on an orphanage (one of the three they visited when Jeff went) and other major repairs. The most major of all that cannot be repaired without God: these little ones. Lives changed in a split second as the earth shook. No mom or dad to love and care for them, but God had a plan already written for someone to come in and take these and make them her own. (You will have to get Supt. Moore to tell that story.)

The roof leak? Oh, I forgot to mention, it’s over the bedrooms. Rain? Drenched sleeping quarters. Can I tell you how miserable that is?

I went on a camping trip about a year ago–and the roof leaked. Just one place. But it kept me awake all night. Even though I moved to the couch and put a boiler on the bed to catch the dripping water, the “ting-ting-ting” of the water dripping kept me awake all night wondering if it would soon leak elsewhere.

These kids–it leaks all over the place and there’s no way they have enough boilers to fill all the places for the rain invading their sleep.

So. I’m asking something of you. First–pray. Don’t just pray for the kids and the teams that go to help–or Convoy of Hope who continually see to the many needs in that country–but pray and ask God “what can I do?” You can do a lot! Any amount you are able to send in for the construction costs and materials will be beneficial! The job cannot get done without you. Every donation helps.

Next, contact the district office and send an offering. Find out how many construction workers are going and help one of them with airfare. Yes they are willing- and are able–but many will need some assistance covering expenses.

The address to send your (tax deductible gift) is:

West Florida District Assemblies of God, 4792 Highway 90, Marianna, Florida 32446. Mark it “Haiti Project”.

Supt. Moore didn’t ask me to do this–doesn’t even know that I am–but God gave me fingers to type, a mind to think and understand the needs that need to be met–and a voice to shout! I have so much to be thankful for!

It’s raining today while I’m typing this–and I asked the Lord this morning to tune me into the needs of our world–this project has stayed on my mind since we sat down last year with a representative from Convoy who shared his heart and the needs there. Even though I had not been, I saw through the description and the pictures that had been taken by other team members (pastors) when they went.

When I can’t “go”, I can still make a difference. So can you. Make that call today. Do something with what you’ve been blessed with.

Thank you in advance for the lives your donation will change!

Missions

Random Tuesday

January 14, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Have you settled back in from all the rush-run-hurry-scurry of the holidays?

Is your house back in order? Or, are you like me; laundry waiting to be folded…books waiting to be read…a dog snoozing beside you–while you work on yet another project you have going??

During the Christmas holiday break we had some alteration to our normal routine:

Jeff’s stepbrother passed from his morning routine to the glories of heaven. What a Christmas he had this year! It happened Christmas Eve (Eve). It surprised us, but not God. His days had already been planned out. (Psalm 139:16)
Our mission team (focus forward ministries) had our first assignment as a full fledged ministry. We cooked and prepared a Christmas Day meal for the staff of one of the nursing homes in a nearby town. Lunch and Dinner. AND we ran upon the white bearded man himself–all decked out in his royal reds. It was quite a sight! That was so much fun–even though we were on the road a lot that day–I couldn’t help but be reminded of all that we had been blessed with!

Our daughter April, the nurse, helping a resident with her gifts

A few of our ministry team at the nursing home, along with the man in red 🙂

I don’t know if I told YOU or not, but I am now an independent Thirty-One Gifts Consultant! It is exciting getting to meet all the new ladies that God has brought across my path–I have inserted the link to my page if you are interested in shopping with me! The full commission from the first party of each month goes to missions. God is faithful. Meeting our needs as we continue to step out in faith.

I took this leap of faith in September of 2014–and completely rely on God to open doors and windows where He will use the voice He gave me!

So…message me, comment here, or Facebook me and tell me what you’ve been up to since Christmas!

OH! Almost forgot…a reminder of our ministry info:

Our Page and Ministry Page, click the links 🙂

Missions

Don’t Forget To Write!

November 19, 2014October 21, 2016 A. Knight

I started it in 1988. The pages are yellowed with age, but the words are strong: Proverbs 10:29(a) KJV “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright:”. . .

Then I went on to Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV—one we all know by heart. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.” Thus was the beginning of my prayer journaling. It should have been called my Skippy journal. Or “Sporadic Journal”. That’s what it seems to have been. But I know I kept on praying…I just didn’t take the time to journal. I had two small children and they kept me hopping from the time my feet hit the floor until I collapsed on the bed at night.

What caused me to unearth this book from it’s resting place in the bottom of a drawer was Wanda’s prayer journal. I have hers. One day someone will have mine. I now realize the value of the written word. Touched by her hands, words scratched out with pen or pencil from a sincere heart beating with the love of Jesus Christ. It has great value to me–for inside are her thoughts on the WORD of God. Her prayers and her struggles, along with pages of praise!

I just noticed. Mine is much the same. Favorite scripture quotes, insights and prayer needs. In essence, a journal does a lot for the writer, but for the reader down the road, it offers great encouragement!

When troubled about a situation I would write it out. Then, when God gave me the peace through His word or through prayer, I would write out the answer or the change of attitude. Wanda did the same. It has encouraged me to see and know that I am not alone in the struggles that I face daily. You aren’t either.

In a conversation with a dear friend recently, I commented that cards or notes of encouragement is something that I try and send often. The best time—is when I have needed encouragement myself! I usually put scriptures or a prayer for the individual and pray for them as I write. You have no idea how much this act of love can help the “sender”. And then the extra blessing when the “receiver” gets the card of encouragement in the mail and they are lifted up and know that someone is there along side them in their pain. Praying.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 NIV

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV (emphasis mine)

Dear friends, I see and feel the day approaching. Let us get about the business of encouraging one another daily. If you have an address for the individual, use the mail man. If you have the e-mail address only, use it! Always share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ~for in His Word is power—and I tell you today—with all the urgency in my heart—we will need all the power He can and WILL— pour on us as we go about the business of sharing our love and faith in Him to others!

I’ve been here before. As a matter of fact, I believe as the past 300+ have passed, many changes have taken place in my life. Some were unexpected. Some changes I began to see hints of in 2013. I re-read some journal pages from last year just this morning–and saw where some of it began.

I will leave you with words from Paul to the Thessalonians—they are good for sharing to our hearts and lives today! “But I don’t need to write to you about the Christian love that should be shown among God’s people. For God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christians in all of Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we beg you to love them more and more.” I Thessalonians 4:9-10 NLT

Trusting Him,

Angie

Bolivia

Holding Emmanuel

November 17, 2014October 28, 2020 A. Knight

100_3976Emmanuel Sounds more like a Christmas post…and maybe it will be- but it’s been on my mind. The feeling from holding him.

Emmanuel.

One of the guys from our ministry team is making Christmas ornaments to sell as a way to raise funds for upcoming projects and when I saw the ornaments, one ornament, emblazoned with His name, reminded me of the baby in Bolivia. And the Baby in Bethlehem.

Every single one of us is drawn to the babies, and this was my one chance to hold him without one of the others trying to get at him. I held my hands out, he leaned in and I took him. Soft baby. Freshly washed baby fragrance, I inhaled deep. Remembering my own babies. And their babies. I asked his name. “Emmanuel”, she said. No translation needed. I felt my heart speed up with my writer’s mind whirling–I was “holding Emmanuel”. The other team members had oooed and aahhed over him, a few had held him–without knowing his name. But I asked–because names are important to me–I like to connect somehow with those that I talk with–even when through a translator.

He leaned his little head on my shoulder and I began to whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for him, a prayer of protection, and for God to create in him a strong desire to serve and follow Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus Christ. Son of God. Tears (which seemed to come often this trip) burned, mixed with the dust that was flying that morning, I was so –so- so grateful to God for this moment. For me to recognize a “God moment”.

To hold Emmanuel–we must recognize our need for Him. Holding Emmanuel is a privilege. We must seek Him. Just as the wise men and shepherds, we will find Him when we do.

And, when we hold Him, it will change us.

The holding. It’s a purposeful act–a deliberate decision to wrap our arms, minds and heart around Him. Measure the feeling when you hold a baby. Is it possible? I don’t think it’s quite measurable. The feeling itself encapsulates our being. We are privileged to have experienced that opportunity. But–God didn’t decide to come to earth as a baby –just for us…..He came for the world. (John 3:16)

So that we all might have the opportunity…and there are millions who don’t know. Millions who have never been afforded the chance to hold Emmanuel. Never had an introduction. What are we doing about them?

Dare we look in their eyes and say, “I’m sorry…. we cannot give you the chance to know Jesus…you live too far away”….

“Your life is too different than mine”.

Those words won’t hold up in court. The Court. We will all stand for our own selves. And what we did when we were given the opportunity to hold Emmanuel–will come to light. Did we hold Him? Did we share Him? Give– so that others might know Him? Go so that others might See Him? Live? –so that others might want Him? Do we pray so that they might find Him?

Holding Emmanuel changed me. I wanted to stay there–and help his mother. I wanted to be her friend.

But I knew –for now, I couldn’t stay. I handed him back with a prayer and a promise that I would indeed do my part to see that others like him, and his mother–and those other little ones running around playing would have the opportunity to hold Emmanuel. And know Him. And serve Him.

Father, I thank You for that trip. For all the things You showed us–and all that we experienced. I pray that we brought glory and honor to You and not shame in all that we did. I ask that the fire we felt in our souls that week–burn even stronger as we make plans to return–and make plans to go beyond the comfort zone of our lives–as we embark on unknown places to reach the unreached. Let our feet and hearts follow Yours. May we bring You glory daily–until we’re Home. In Your most holy name–Amen.

Focus Forward Ministries

Holding Emmanuel

November 17, 2014October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Sounds more like a Christmas post…and maybe it will be- but it’s been on my mind. The feeling from holding him.Emmanuel. One of the guys from our ministry team is making Christmas ornaments to sell as a way to raise funds for upcoming projects and when I saw the ornaments, one ornament, emblazoned with His name, reminded me of the baby in Bolivia. And the Baby in Bethlehem……

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