Tired and Hungry

I have been overwhelmed indeed by how the past couple of weeks have been incredibly busy and thoroughly out of the ordinary. But as Dale notes in the next post, sometimes that is also ordinary life. It was amazingly packed, with such blessings and surprises from Clear Creek family visitors, but then also some extra efforts required of us with a sick friend in town. But I notice a softening occurring in the midst of it, and I realize that God is doing something here in Shaoxing with us His workers. It seems our hearts are being tilled. We are lovingly prepared by these busy weeks and the stresses that have come our way. We are made tired, and we sink into prayer more naturally. We are made hungry, and then the Word, and just a few moments in which to savor it, becomes more precious. We are humbled sometimes by the tasks that lay before us, but that is good for us. Coming through the hardships and helping each other out have their own reward, and perhaps the reward can't be gotten at any other way. If that is the case, then we are thankful for the lessons these days have brought. Father, we thank you for gently opening our hearts to give and receive.