Simplicity

Tonight as Ian was getting ready for bed, he pointed to the palm of his hand and said, "It would really hurt to have a nail here. Do you know that Jesus did?" I told him that I really did think it would hurt and asked him if he knew that Jesus did that for us. Ian nodded as if he is finally getting his arms around this amazing story. He continued to talk about Jesus, and I definitely felt an incredible presence of the Spirit.

He kissed me and told me he loved me. Then he blurted out, "Mama, I'm nervous. I'm nervous about moving to France." I told him I was nervous, too. I told him that this will be an exciting adventure, but it is scary. He said that he would miss his friends. He said he hopes to make new friends in France. "Can I try to make one friend in Iceland?" he inquired when referring to the two hour layover we have in Reykjavik. He is quite the social butterfly.

He asked where we were going after our year in France, and it is hard to tell anyone, much less a child, "I don't know..." I explained that we were listening to God, and right now, He wants us to go to France. However, we have to keep listening and praying about where He may want to use us. Ian proclaimed, "I want to go to Mexico!" I hesitated (thinking in the back of my mind....well, son, it is more complicated than that...). Then, I said, "Do you think God wants us to go there? You can help us listen as a family." He responded, "Well, they are poor there, and we can give our money to them and tell them about Jesus." While I know there are poor everywhere, I was humbled by his simple yet important statement. We prayed that God would help give all of us courage to move forward and clarity to hear him better.

Perhaps I am the one who makes all of this so complicated. Who is to say that we would not go to Mexico? We just keep listening and moving. I need to let God weave the pieces of our family's ministry together. He knows infinitely more than I. I simply want to glorify Him.

Thank you, God, for the gift of our children.