Oh, how I love Daniel.

We are now in the book of Daniel as we continue our study of the Old Testament at The Eastman Academy.

It is one of my top three favorite books in Scripture.  I spent an entire semester studying this single book in college and my goodness, the hidden treasures in Daniel are fascinating and voluminous.  The book is wonderful at face value, but once you start going verse by verse and digging into the history of the time, it makes it even more powerful and exciting.

Daniel is a man of character and conviction.  He feared no man, no matter how powerful.  He would not yield under even the most frightening of circumstances.  He could not be bought with worldly treasures.  He feared God and God alone.  He was obedient.  He was faithful.  He was unshakable.  And he is only a teenage boy when we are introduced to him!  As a young man he already possessed a faith that was rock solid and had courage of conviction.  "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies."  Daniel 1:8

I stand in awe of him.

Today we read chapter four, which interestingly enough, was written by King Nebuchadnezzar himself.  It is his account of how God dealt with his arrogance and pride and absolute refusal to give glory to God for all he had been given.  God had already revealed to him, in a dream, that he would have his kingdom and power stripped away from him, he would be put into the fields to eat grass like cattle, and would remain there for seven years until he acknowledged that heaven rules.  And then, a year later, he is walking on the roof of the royal palace and says, "Is this not the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"  (Daniel 4:28~30)  Notice the "I" and "my" statements littered throughout.

The words were still on his lips when the Lord calls down from heaven and reminds him of what was foretold and immediately, it was fulfilled.

He spent seven years as a human lawn mower and at the end of that time ...  "I raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored.  Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever." (verse 34)

And this was his prayer ... a prayer from the heart of a man who just a year before thought He was everything.  He had full control.  Full power.  He needed no one because He himself, was enough.  (Haven't we all been there before?)

"His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.
He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?""

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all his ways are just.  And those who walk in pride He is able to humble."

I will be thinking on this chapter for days to come ... I find it encouraging, challenging, and convicting.  Very convicting.  We may not walk the roof of a palace but we do walk through life thinking we have control ... in little things and in the big things.  And if we do not willingly humble ourselves and give glory and power to the God who created us, He will do it for us.

"He has shown thee, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee.

But to do justly, and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with thy God."

Micah 6:8

Who knew?

I made a commitment to a friend to walk through a rough time with her in the only way I know how.

It involves eating.

She struggles with a disease that affects her life every single day - and food is poison to her body.  She eats healthier than any human I know, and yet, she suffers the symptoms of the disease even when she is being strict and perfect with her diet.

She had to make some major adjustments recently and one of those adjustments is a strict diet that lasts for five weeks.  I am committed to her diet as long as she is ... though she gave me grace and allowed me to eat real food on Christmas day.  She is so kind!

Phase 1 ~ liquids only (it was originally supposed to be clear liquids, so we were pretty happy when it changed to liquids in general!)
Phase 2 ~ soft foods (scrambled eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes etc), no breads, no meat, no vegetables
Phase 3 ~ regular food in small quantities

We are in Phase 1 now.  One week.  It ends tomorrow.

Did you know that 99% of foods require a person to actually CHEW?

Did you know that the other 1% of food gets really old and boring and annoying when it is all LIQUID?  Just imagine eating broth or protein drinks or smoothies every day, all day, for an entire week.  You do not even need teeth!

I have to say, it is difficult.  Watching everyone else eat real food ~ biting into a burger, chewing potato chips, crunching on a salad ... it can make a person crazy!

But we are almost there!  One more day!  Only 24 hours until we can put something into our mouths and BITE DOWN.  Oh, the joy that awaits us!

Phase 2 lasts 2-3 weeks and will be much, much easier.

I am learning that I am weak and possess very little self-control.  I actually got angry a couple of times when I could not grab an apple or some cheese and crackers for a snack.  And then my mind would think of the millions of people who go to bed hungry every night ... who wake up starving every morning ... and I would get a grip, pull it together and stick a piece of gum in my mouth.  Grow up, Michelle!

So, there you go.  The Lord is going to teach me something through this process.  It is certainly drawing us closer together as friends in a way we never imagined ~ and that is a plus!  I am so glad I am able to do something for her.  Something tangible.  Something helpful.  When she is bitterly slurping soup through a straw, she knows I am doing the same, and for some strange reason, it bonds us together.  I know she would do the same for me.  She is that kind of a friend.  We can do this!!!  Together.

By the way, did you know that cake batter is a LIQUID? :o)

Is it the right question?

How many times have you heard (or asked) this question:  "How is your walk with the Lord?"

It is one of the top three questions I ask whenever I am spending time with someone.  Especially a planned and purposeful date with a friend, a young mom, or someone who is hurting and needing encouragement.

But after taking a walk with a large group of people through a rain soaked street and observing the way each person pursued the walk, it made me think:  Is it a logical question?

There are a myriad of ways to walk with someone.  We can lead the way, always just a step ahead.  We can lag behind as we look at things that interest us.  We can be so close that we bump arms or hold hands.  Or we can be quite far apart, happily enjoying our own view, completely content with the physical distance, knowing we will drift together once again.

There is more than one way to walk with someone.

But there is only one way to walk with the Lord.

Isn't there?

If we are a step ahead, we cannot know where He wants us to go.  If we lag behind, we might lost sight of Him and stumble onto the wrong path.  If we are far apart we may not hear all of the things He is trying to share with us or see what He wants us to see.  So what does that leave?

Walking so close to Him that our arms touch and we can reach out and take His hand.  Never losing sight of Him.  Listening to everything He has to say.  Looking into every window He points to, knowing there is something wonderful to see inside.

So I wonder ... instead of asking, "How is your walk with the Lord?" should we be asking, "How ARE you walking with the Lord?  Are you walking so closely with Him that you can hear His voice?  See His smile?  Feel His warmth?"

Okay, so it is a much longer question, but do you get my point?

I need to think on this more, I know.  I feel like I am just scratching the surface but it has been pressing on my mind every minute of the day ... what does walking with the Lord REALLY look like?  How does it feel?  What is the result of walking so close you can touch Him?  What is the benefit?  How will it change you?  And can we always walk that close?  How much freedom do we have to look in our own windows and then bound back to the Lord with enthusiasm and joy about what we have seen? 

"Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually."  

1 Chronicles 16:11

"The LORD will guide you continually ..."   

Isaiah 58:11

"Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,
         'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit,
         Who leads you in the way you should go.' "

Isaiah 48:17

"LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own;
   it is not for them to direct their steps."

Jeremiah 10:23

Who are you?

Our three oldest sons can put way too much stock in what other people think of them, what they do, how they draw, what they create, how they run, etc.  One criticism or sarcastic remark (especially from a brother) can send them into the depths of despair.  I confess, I have often times responded with, "Who cares what so-and-so thinks?  Do YOU like what you drew?"  "Yes."  "Then be confident in that and ignore his remarks."  And while there is nothing innately wrong with this response, it is not a Biblical one.

When one of my sons is offended or hurt by the thoughts and opinions of others, I should take him to Scripture.  It is the only place that reveals who we really are and where our confidence can be found. IN CHRIST.

So today, I printed up a list of Scriptures for the boys to study that point specifically to these exact things ... our confidence, our security, our identity.  Because if we claim to be children of God, it is not about us ~ it is all about HIM.

Who I am IN CHRIST …

I am faithful (Ephesians 1:1)

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)

I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)

I am a member of Christ's Body (1 Cor 12:27)

I am assured all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)

I am confident that God will perfect the work He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6)

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)

I am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)

I am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)

I am adopted as his child (Ephesians 1:5)

I am given God's glorious grace lavishly and without restriction (Ephesians 1:5,8)

I have redemption (Ephesians 1:8)

I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14)

I have purpose (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)

I have hope (Ephesians 1:12)

I am included (Ephesians 1:13)

I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)

I am a saint (Ephesians 1:18)

I am salt and light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I have been chosen and God desires me to bear fruit (John 15:1,5)

I am a personal witness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am God's coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)

I am raised up with Christ (Eph 2:6; Col 2:12)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)

I have been shown the incomparable riches of God's grace (Ephesians 2:7)

God has expressed His kindness to me (Eph 2:7)

I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

I have been brought near to God through Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:13)

I have peace (Ephesians 2:14)

I have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18)

I am a member of God's household (Eph 2:19)

I am secure (Ephesians 2:20)

I am a holy temple (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Cor 6:19)

I am a dwelling for the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:22)

I share in the promise of Christ Jesus (Eph 3:6)

God's power works through me (Ephesians 3:7)

I can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)

I know there is a purpose for my sufferings (Ephesians 3:13)

I am completed by God (Ephesians 3:19)

I can bring glory to God (Ephesians 3:21)

I have been called (Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9)

I can understand what God's will is (Eph 5:17)

I can give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20)

I can be strong (Ephesians 6:10)

I have God's power (Ephesians 6:10)

I can stand firm in the day of evil (Eph 6:13)

I am dead to sin (Romans 1:12)

I am not alone (Hebrews 13:5)

I am growing (Colossians 2:7)

I am His disciple (John 13:15)

I am prayed for by Jesus Christ (John 17:20-23)

I am united with other believers (John 17:20-23) 

I possess the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16)

I am promised eternal life (John 6:47)

I am promised a full life (John 10:10)

My heart and mind is protected with God's peace (Philippians 4:7)

I am chosen and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)

I am blameless (I Corinthians 1:8)

I am set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)

I am crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)

I am a light in the world (Matthew 5:14)

I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)

I am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I am safe (I John 5:18)

I am part of God's kingdom (Revelation 1:6)

I am healed from sin (I Peter 2:24)

I am no longer condemned (Romans 8:1, 2)

I am not helpless (Philippians 4:13)

I am overcoming (I John 4:4)

I am persevering (Philippians 3:14)

I am protected (John 10:28)

I am born again (I Peter 1:23)

I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am delivered (Colossians 1:13)

I am redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13)

I am qualified to share in His inheritance (Colossians 1:12)

I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Kingdom Service.

It has been a few weeks since I wrote about what the Lord is doing in our hearts as a family.

And, it has been these past few weeks that the Lord has continued to press on our hearts, fill our minds with thoughts and ideas, and challenge us in the area of extreme compassion.

It is so easy to think, "What can we possibly do?  We do not have unlimited resources.  How can we serve?"  But these thoughts are not of the Lord, because He says, "You can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you."  Thoughts of defeat and frustration and insecurity come from the pit ... satan wants to render us ineffective.  He wants us to fail.  And what better way than to cause doubt and feelings of in adequacy before we even begin?

So, to our knees we must fall.  "You have burdened our hearts to live out extreme compassion.  How, Lord?  What does it look like for our family?  Where do we begin?"

It feels sometimes like the only way to meet a need involves money.  It costs money to buy food to feed the hungry ~ it costs money to buy clothing to clothe a homeless man ~ medicine, wheelchairs, building materials, books, Bibles ... everything costs money.

And we do not have enough.  The Lord has not blessed us with wealth.  We cannot write a check for thousands of dollars to a pregnancy center to purchase new equipment, or buy groceries each week for a family who is out of work.  But the Lord KNOWS this!  He is well aware of our limitations, but even better, He is aware of our gifts, talents and skills!  He gave them to us!  With purpose.  For such a time as this.

And, he gave us five sons.  Five boys who are at this very time able to do a multitude of tasks that would serve others.  There are no physical or intellectual limitations to deter them ~ lifting heavy things, scrubbing floors, cooking, reading to someone who is sick, playing a game with a child, praying with a hurting heart, sprucing up the lawn of an elderly person who can no longer push a mower, writing letters to missionary children ... there is no limit!  And the Lord GAVE US these boys.  Not for us too ooh and aah over, not for us to coddle and shelter from the harsh realities of life.  He gave them to us to use for His Kingdom, for His purposes, for His glory.  We must be faithful.

We had a Sword Ceremony last year and created this mantra for our boys, which we recite with them consistently:

"What does it mean to be an Eastman?"

"A soldier for Christ!"

"What does it mean to be a soldier of Christ?"

"Defend the Weak!  Protect the Innocent!  Fight the enemy!  Stand Firm in the Faith!"


Defend the weak.
Protect the innocent.
Fight the enemy.
Stand firm in the faith.

This is our passion.  The weak and the innocent surround us.  They need extreme compassion.  They need to see Jesus.  And they need to see Him ~ in us.

Lord, we are ready.  But that may mean You have us ready to wait ~ on You.  Perhaps we are in a season of preparation while our boys grow into young men who can serve in even more ways.  Perhaps You have a purpose for Ellie that is essential to Your calling, and we must wait for her growth and maturity.  Perhaps You need to sift and mold and refine us so that when the time comes, we do not hesitate, we do not look back.  We will only move forward with excitement and energy for what You are asking us to do.  Show us, Lord.  Show us.  We yield to You and trust in Your timing and always, we trust in Your faithfulness.

Hearts full of thanks!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, to everyone who sponsored the boys in their GIVING endeavor!

They raised $140 and will be busy little beavers come January as they walk dogs, wash and detail cars, mow lawns and wash windows.  And do you know what the best part is?  They can't WAIT!  They ask me every couple of days, "When will Mrs. D let us walk her dog?  When are we going to wash Nonna's windows?"  They are so eager to serve because of the REASON they are serving ... for the children and families in India who are considered the least of the least.  Our boys know that Dalit children are beaten for touching the items of an upper-class child.  They know these children literally dig through trash heaps to find scraps of food.  They have one set of clothing, sometimes with shoes.  They work to help the family survive, not to earn spending money.  They are cold when they go to sleep and they are hungry when they wake up.  Our boys get it.  And they are not okay with it.

We are really proud of them for taking on this project.  We let go of the reigns and did not prod or nag.  They could have asked at least 15 more people that they know, but it was their choice to pursue it or be content with what they had.  And occasionally I have heard them reminding each other, when dreaming about what they might be getting for Christmas themselves, "Remember, we sacrificed a present to give to our families in India, so there will not be as many gifts."  And not a grumble, whine or sigh is heard.  What a blessing this project has been to our family and we pray it will have a lasting impact on the hearts of our sons ~ because we can always, always, always, do more.

Today, we sat down and looked at the list of what they wanted to send and they selected their top favorites based on their budget.  After some discussion and a little bartering, they settled on these items:

~ 6 blankets for warmth on cold nights
~ 3 mosquito nets to protect against bites and infectious diseases
~ manual sewing machine - to make clothes to wear, and also to sell and provide money for the family
~ 18 Bibles
~ warm clothing for a missionary
~ a bicycle for a missionary to reach more people per day as he shares the Gospel of Christ

The only thing that could be better would be flying to India and handing out the gifts ourselves!  Our boys would never be the same.

Thank you, again, for supporting Micah, Luke and Caleb as they sought to serve those who have little, so they could honor a God who provides and cares for us all.

Think on this.

"To those who have had no agony Jesus says, 

“I have nothing for you; stand on your own feet, square your own shoulders. 

I have come for the man who knows he has a bigger handful than he can cope with, who knows there are forces he cannot touch; 

I will do everything for him if he will let Me. 

Only let a man grant he needs it, and I will do it for him.” 

- Oswald Chambers
 

The Shadow of an Agony

Quote.

We are currently reading the biography of Nate Saint ~ one of the missionaries killed by the Auca Indians in Ecuador.  We read about Jim Elliot's life last year and the boys really liked Nate so we decided to read about his personal life.  As you can imagine, he is like every other missionary who was willing to die for the sake of the Gospel, and his story is inspiring and challenging at every turn.

He had an intense passion for flying and was trained to do so in the military during WWII.  One Sunday he decided to visit the church of a pastor whom he had been listening to on the radio.  He entered the church as a man who wanted to be a pilot in the United Sates, and he left a man who had decided to go to Bible school and become a missionary in a foreign country.

The account of that Divine change reads:

"That night Nate realized how much time and effort he'd wasted going after his own dreams and plans, and he understood the deep joy that comes from surrendering every dream and plan and talent back to God."


As I read those words I immediately thought of Scripture...

"The heart of man plans his ways, but the LORD determines his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6

Nate Saint, along with four other men, believed this truth.  They were faithful, obedient, surrendered and dead to self ... and now, 70 years later, young men and women are still inspired by their story and willingly surrender their own hearts to reach the world with the Gospel ~ no matter the cost.

And these men were rewarded with this promise:

"Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life."  Revelation 2:10

Teach me to have such strength, Lord.  I want to be faithful.  I may be stiff-necked and selfish in moments of the flesh, but my greatest desire is to be faithful, loyal and obedient to You and to Your Word so that others may see You when they look at me.  These men are remembered, respected and cherished because every single time someone mentions their name, their thoughts are drawn upward as they remember these ordinary men who died an extraordinary death.  They died for You.  Willingly.  And they would do it again.  May my faith increase, Lord, day by day.

It has to be said.

I have been criticized, yelled at, and received rude comments about this for years.

So now it is time to share my heart's motive.

I, Michelle Renee Eastman, do not hate the telephone!

The telephone is my friend.  It has served me through decades of life providing a connection with others that was both desired and necessary.

With a telephone I have been able to:

~ Share life with beloved grandparents who lived 3,000 miles away.
~ Announce the birth of a baby.
~ Congratulate a friend for a new job, engagement, baptism, graduation, promotion ...
~ Cry with a friend after a break up
~ Pray with a woman who has lost a baby
~ Call my husband just to say "Have a great day!"
~ Provide a listening ear for a hurting heart
~ Hear of an accident or emergency so I can pray or get to the hospital immediately to offer comfort and support
~ Laugh until I cried with a friend
~ Encourage a new mom through those first trying weeks of motherhood
~ Seek advice during a trying time
~ Plan fun events
~ Remind someone of the goodness of God in a moment of despair

The telephone is a blessing.  A good thing.

But I do not let it control my life.  I can't.

I am a stay at home mom.  I have a house to clean.  Beds to make.  Laundry to wash.  I have six children to train, discipline and disciple.  I need to grocery shop, plan meals, and cook meals and nurse a baby.  I have diapers to change and baths to give.  I teach school four hours per day.  I have a husband who needs attention, conversation and support.  We lead a marriage group that we are absolutely committed to, which requires time, preparation and prayer.  I lead a home school group that is a blessing to our family and also requires time, preparation and attention. I have the privilege of being in a discipleship group with seven young women whom I adore.  I need to sleep, exercise and take care of my health.  I am a sister.  A daughter.  A friend.  And above all of these things, I am a child of God, who deserves the first fruits of my time.

So, please, forgive me if I do not answer the phone when you call.  It is not personal.  I will call you back!  I love talking to people.  I love connecting with people.  But I cannot stay focused on the roles of motherhood and being a help meet if I let hours slip by while talking on the phone.  I have made that mistake in the past and paid dearly for it.  And if you know me well, you know I will always return a call.  There are a handful of people in my life with whom I actually make phone appointments (often because they have no time to talk to me!) and it is a delight to talk because we have no other distractions and can focus on the conversation.

I know I will be criticized for the rest of my life because I do not succumb to the pace and constant change of technology.  Technology is not evil - like anything it has its place and it is not always the right place. But, oh, the delightful memories of times when a family could go on vacation and when the phone rang and no one answered, people waited until they returned.  When I could meet someone for hot cocoa and they did not ignore me every 12 minutes while they checked their text messages.  When people were patient and did not call six times in a row and when you finally respond say, "I have been calling you for 20 minutes, why didn't you pick up?!?"  Only to find out they wanted to know if you had any super glue they could borrow.  When people respected family time, a holiday or a date night and did not pick up the phone during those precious moments stating, "This will only take a second." while those left behind feel rejected and second place.

I, Michelle Renee Eastman, like and appreciate the telephone.  I really do!

I will always use it.

A telephone call with a person in need supersedes any math lesson, toilet scrubbing or sleep.

I simply do not let it run my life.  I am not a slave to it.  And I am not wrong.  I just view it differently.  And I know I am not alone. 

So, can we still be friends?

Call me so we can talk about it!

Changed.

The Lord has been working in my husband's heart.  He has been filling his mind with articles, sermons, and Scripture that beg the question, "What does extreme compassion look like?"  "How can the church show extreme compassion?  And why aren't we already doing it?"

While flicking through channels to find something interesting to watch while I nursed Ellie in the late evening, we stumbled upon the CNN Heroes special.  And we could not tear our eyes away.

I will let these two individuals speak for themselves ... their passion, their sacrifice, their love for those who are left behind, forgotten, and unwanted.

They are Jesus to the people they serve.  Yet they do not even know the Savior.

After seeing this, I looked at Dennis and said, "We are not doing anything."  So we began to pray.  Dennis said, "What do we do now, Lord?  What do you want me and my family to do with the time, talents and resources You have given us?  Like Mordecai said to Esther, "Who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?'”

Compassion in action. 

Defending the weak.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"  

Matthew 25 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  

James 1:27

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“How long will you defend the unjust
   and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
   uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
   deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 

Psalm 82:3,4

Lord, we are ready.  We will answer the call.  We will go where You send us.  We will wait on You and willingly obey.  Here we are, Lord.  Send us.

Will you go even farther?

I have been thinking about THIS POST quite a bit since writing it.  I feel like the Lord is not done with me yet.

After spending time with college friends this past weekend, I remembered something about one of our classmates.  Something that resonates with the post about being in it for the long haul - but taking it to an entirely new level.

Her name was Debbie.  She was a strawberry-blonde, petite girl with tons of energy and an eternal smile.  She walked around campus greeting everyone with her classic, "Hihowareyou!?"  We always laughed at the way she combined hello and a question into one word.  She was thoughtful, sensitive, a great listener and a loyal friend.  The only thing that ever made her sad was the lack of a boyfriend.  She wanted to be a wife and a mother so badly ~ and we all knew she would be excellent in both roles.  She provided countless moments of joy and encouragement for everyone who knew her and added a sparkle to campus with her smile.

Our four years of college rolled quickly by and we walked across the stage to accept our diplomas and begin a new life.

A few months later I was a new bride and settling into the role of a wife when the phone rang.  My college roommate and dear friend, Jenny, called to tell me that Debbie had died.  A good friend of hers was a pilot and he had asked to take her flying.  Something happened during the flight which caused the airplane to crash into a body of water.  Neither of them were killed on impact but Debbie's seat belt would not release and her friend could not get her free.  She drowned  ... and there was nothing that could be done to save her.

At the funeral, her mom read from Debbie's journal.  Her friend was not a believer and Debbie had been praying for him and witnessing to him for a very long time.  She had such a tender heart for people and the thought of anyone going to hell was more than she could bear.  In her journal she had written (paraphrase), "Lord, please do whatever it takes for Mark to be saved.  Use me, Lord, to let him see You. "

Mark accepted the Lord shortly after Debbie's death.  Not out of guilt.  Not because of shame.  He accepted the Lord because a sweet, gentle, obedient young woman shared the love of the Father with him time and time again and finally, with a sincere heart and a need for forgiveness and grace, he fell to his knees at the foot of the cross and accepted the free and life-changing gift of eternal life.

Mark will spend eternity in the presence of the Lord.

Debbie has been basking in His glorious presence for 17 years and was willing to do whatever it took for Mark to see Jesus.  She was willing to go the long haul ... she was willing to be used by a God who has a purpose for each of us, even when it doesn't make sense or seem fair ...

... and the Lord used her death to bring another child home.

I am sure Mark thinks about Debbie every day.
She changed his life.
For eternity.