On Being Held

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

Yupa provides the text for our reflections after supper last night.

It's a spirit-lifting bonus when you have a guitar in the house (thanks Dave Driver!), a proficient guitar player, and others who value taking a pause near the end of the day to give simple thanks for all good things.

It's about 20 minutes of evening worship, mirroring the evening time that happens at Hot Springs every day. I am particularly glad, because it's giving me a chance to 'field test' the song book I'm preparing for the November Team; songs written in Thai, transcript, and translation (an inspiration from Esther Weatherall, again thanks!). Then someone simply talks about what they may have heard from God over that day, or a verse that means a lot to them, or something they are worried about. All in the context of building each others' faith.

Last night we were all of us reflecting on the 'big weekend' we'd had. Saturday was the gathering of supportive friends to hear Suradet and Yupa cast the vision for the development of our new party. So much dessert! Lots of great conversations. Good questions. And...I'll keep you in suspense a bit longer because funds are still coming in -- but it's a happy number so far already .

Then Sunday Highview graciously gave us the whole morning to tell the story of Suradet and Yupa's childhood. What an inspiration to hear how they have overcome so many harsh realities to bring such gentleness the family God has now gathered around them.

Yes, a big weekend. We were all tired. But also humbled and glad.

This verse, then, from Isaiah, reminded Yupa on Saturday morning, and then all of us last night, Who is really looking after all these things. It' true. When you've been planning out these things for almost a year, it can get to feeling like maybe it's you driving it. Maybe it's all up to how carefully you can plan it out and communicate things and gather the teams.

But it's not.

And all along we have known this feeling. Of being held up, carried, strengthened, upheld, by the mighty hand of God.

A quieter day of rest and recovery is planned. A fun outing with friends, but nothing demanding. We need it.

And please let me take this opportunity to say here that there were MANY hands working to make this weekend happen. We felt the love. We really did. Thank you so much!!!!!