Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Rebecca's Journey - 96

30 January, 2008

Rebecca and I want to wish you all a belated New Year - as you'll see in her note below. In Europe it is appropriate to wish friends a Happy New Year until the end of January, so please receive a European-timed wish. (Whew! Just got in under the line!) - Paul.

Greetings from Brussels!

It is a very typical winter day in Belgium, grey and overcast. But I'm so glad to say that the weather doesn't reflect the condition of our souls. His joy under girds!

I'm sorry to be so long in getting this new "Rebecca's Journey" to you. I want to be sure to have it out in the month of January so that we can wish you a Happy New Year.

As you know, every January I always seek the Lord for what He is saying to me for the New Year. This year as I've prayed, He took me to Philippians 4:4-7.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus." (NIV)

What a marvelous command this is to me ... just what I need. It begins, "Rejoice in the Lord..." This is a great beginning for my day, every day. It goes on, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is at hand." Well, I understood the first part and I know I needed to show gentleness in every situation, but why is it followed by "The Lord is at hand"? As I pondered this, Father spoke and said, "You can only rejoice always and show gentleness because you know that I am at hand. That joy, born in confidence, produces gentleness."

Then He says, "Do not be anxious about anything." If He is the Lord, and He is at hand, then all I have to do is ask Him and He will care for all that concerns me. The result of this is that I we can take His joy and gentleness into everyday. I'm thankful to be thus armed as I go into the New Year.

Our days here are, as usual, busy. I have a new care-giver, Abigail Walk, from southwest Ohio. She is a beautiful redhead, and a joy. Once again I am blessed in the Father's faithfulness and care.

I received a lovely new blank journal from Annie for Christmas this year. I needed one which would lay flat. She searched until she found a most beautiful one.

When I fell and realized I could not write in my journals, I felt such despair. Journaling had been such an integral part of my quiet times. It has felt like a new beginning to be able to journal again. The writing is certainly not beautiful, but it's quite legible, and I feel as if I've made a new step. Such an adventure we have embarked upon.

Paul and I send our richest love to you and our prayer that you would be able to find for yourselves what the Father is saying to you for this New Year, 2008.

Love from us both,

Rebecca (and Paul)