Friday, May 14, 2010

Rebecca's Journey - 123

Dear Friends,

Recently we had the special joy of having our daughter, Susannah, and her precious little Marta here while Paul was travelling in the States. Susannah's and Marta's visit was certainly a blessing to me while he is gone. As many of you may remember, Susannah works with the Foreign Ministry of Macedonia, and her job requires that she spend one week a month in Brussels. Can you imagine a more perfect scenario for us? This trip was extended due to the ash cloud hovering over Europe. At six o'clock on the morning she was able to fly out she wakened me and said, "Mom, do you mind if I feed the baby in here before we leave?" Even in my groggy state it was a joy to be with them and to kiss them both goodbye, anticipating their next visit.

After their departure I meditated on the visit. We didn't go out of the house except for Susannah going to work at the Parliament. We were content, and so happy, to just be here together enjoying the ebb and flow of people in and out in the normal activity of our household.  While little Marta was here, we passed her from person to person, everyone talking and enjoying this delightful little person. I could not help but see with joy her special relationship with her Momma. When Susannah walked into the room, Marta's little eyes went immediately to her, smiling and laughing, anticipating that Susannah would take her. She always looked to her Momma with a twinkle in her eye, filled with expectation. I was reminded of the Psalms where David speaks of waiting on the Lord with an expectation toward the Father. Now Marta did not always wait patiently - maybe we don't either :-). But David seemed to wait with joy and positive expectation to see the goodness of God revealed in his life.

These past weeks I have been living in Psalms 62:1, "Truly my soul quietly waits for God; from Him comes my salvation." Then in verse 5, "My soul waits quietly for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." Then the Psalm ends, "God has spoken once, twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy (love)..." What a wonderful thing it is! We are waiting for a good God and Father, full of anticipation for all that He will do.

Sometimes in my life I have been hung up on the waiting, wanting something now, on my terms, seeing my time as my own, not His. We all, at one time or another, have the challenge and the joy of waiting. It makes such a difference to remember that the One we're waiting for has all power and all goodness. We're safe. His timing is perfect.

During one in the first months after my accident, I was lying on a gurney in a hall of the hospital, waiting for a procedure.  The nurse had said, "I'll be back in five minutes." I could see the clock and watch the time go by: five minutes, ten, fifteen, twenty minutes. Remember, I was completely paralyzed and could only move my eyes, but I was furious. In the midst of that, the Lord broke in and said, "And what is it that you have to do?" I realized suddenly that I was waiting for a nurse to come back, but for what? It swept over me that my time was His, and not my own. I wasn't waiting for a nurse; I was waiting for Him. My time was in His hands, and He is good.

I think again of little Marta, and of Susannah's joy and delight to meet her every need. Marta's anticipation and waiting will all be well rewarded and fulfilled. Lord, as we wait for the answer to our prayers and needs, remind us it is You we are waiting for. We look to You and rest in Your unfailing love.

I have attached some pictures I thought you might enjoy!

Love,

Rebecca

PS from Paul:

*You will remember that Jessica Camenisch, Rebecca's care-giver, had to return to the US early because of medical problems.  It seems that the doctors have diagnosed her illness, and extended rest is the only treatment.  Please keep her in your prayers.

*Phillip and Josie's new little boy has joined us in the world. Stephen and Sarah are due the end of September.  This is a year of Grandchildren for Rebecca and me!