I am not sure where I got the wooden plaque that declares that truth from its place on the wall in our family room. I believe it was given to us when we said goodbye to good friends in Georgia, on our way to graduate school at Ohio State. Nonetheless, it has been a part of the home decor for years and years. Our children mention its presence from time to time; others tell us what it has meant to them. Now our grandchildren are reading it and hopefully, it will become a mantra to them as they grow and mature in their faith.
I stood before it and received its message with new emphasis when we realized we were Haiti-bound.
Last week, we began in earnest deciding what goes into the next set of crates and what stays packed away in the attic. We had spent much time going through and weeding out, packing up; bag after bag was taken to Helping Hands and filled boxes were put into storage. Few people left from a visit without our gifting them with their own bags, all in the name of helping us ready our house for renters and pack for the move. We were down to the wire: What to keep? What to throw away?
That little sign made the cut.
When we fly out of Ft. Pierce, Florida, one month from today, it will be in one of our crates in the belly of that cargo plane. On this day as we bask in Christmas day's afterglow, I am realizing the truth of that message is but a reflection of the Christmas story and of God's faithfulness to His people all through His Story. It will have a prominent place in our Haitian abode.
It will be a reminder of His grace and His promises to all who come through the doors of our home.
But, especially, to the two new missionaries living there!
