You are amazing. Not just for the intricacy of what You’ve made. Right at this moment, though, I am amazed that you put up with me.
Do you hear me complain? If I were You, I’d get sick of my whining and eye the duct tape. But then again, You know my thoughts before you think them and duct tape is no help.
A few minutes ago, I was annoyed that the skin on my hands is chaffed and dry. You heard that, of course. You anticipated it, even, since You allowed the weather to get as dry and cold as it is.
But then, as I noticed my hand problem you reminded me of your servant, my brother, Yun who spent weeks and months being tortured in unspeakable ways. This man despaired, but in the middle of it all, You granted him not only peace, but joy to share in Your son’s suffering. You filled his heart with Your love to overflowing that sometimes he didn’t feel the pain he had to endure.
Earlier today, I was worried about taking care of two sick boys alone. Then You brought me to the part of the book where Yun talks about being held in solitary confinement. In a 3′x4′4′ iron box! In the cold! You knew that reading that would make my knees weak. Again he despaired but in the solitude You reminded him of your presence and called Your word to his mind to guard him. He emerged from his confinement stronger, though verily, his body had little physical strength.
Brother Yun spoke of how you protected him from the vile scabies that his unkind fellow prisoners bore. Though the guards forced Yun through the septic tanks, you kept him from any disease dispite having no food and water for more that a month. You protected him even though the cell leader, the head of those who blamed him for the curse of their disease, covered Yun in his own soiled blanket. I pray you protect my from whatever germs have a hold of my boys and that You deliver them, just like You delivered Your servant.
Thank you for having Yun’s wife, Deling, share of the miraculous provision you granted while her husband was in prison. Their fields yeilded an amazing bounty even though she and her mother-in-law had no idea how to sow and tend crops. Thank you that I have no real need to pray. I take for granted my ability to drive two minutes to the grocery store and pay for food if it’s needed—or even just wanted.
I’m sorry I’m a complainer. You can help me stop and so I pray You do. Where I find things to mentally gnaw at, I hope I see Your hand instead. Instead of worry, help me practice faith. Replace wanting with joyful giving.
In Jesus’ precious name.
