Over the past 11 months, our lives have consisted of many challenging moments. Not to say all bad, because when you find victory in the challenges it is a mountain top moment. But I must say that while you are walking in the challenges, it feels like a deep valley. Our family has been putting together a support team for our missions work in Alaska. This involves a lot of letter writing, a uncountable number of phone calls, personal meetings and traveling constantly all over our state to present our calling to churches. Through it all, I felt like we had maintained good attitudes of faith and optimism. I have been very happy about that come to think of it... But this last weekend, brought a new perspective for me. Our family had the opportunity to spend a couple of days at the "Barnabas House" in Edenton, NC. This is a house/ministry that allows ministers in transition or in need of vacation to stay there. This is to allow a season of rest. We were speaking not far from there at the Inner Banks Outreach, and their Pastor set it up where we could stay at the Barnabas House. This place is what brought my perspective... During just the first day, I found myself sitting on the deck overlooking the Chowan River, and I found myself singing... I felt as though peace had overwhelmed me. Well, as time was going on and I was walking through the house when my oldest daughter said, "Wow Dad, is everything o.k.?" I asked what she meant. She said, "I haven't heard you sing like this in a long time." You see, even though I have been trying to maintain a positive attitude. Even though I have been trying to be a voice of faith and optimism, I had allowed the cares of life to take away my song! It wasn't until that moment that I realized it. I would like to encourage you this morning. If the cares of life have silenced your song, or if your song has changed from one of praise to one of "Gloom & Despair", you need to do as the Bible teaches and cast your cares upon Him! I thought that I had been doing that, but in reality, I as the head of my household, the husband to my wife, the father to my children, was holding on to some of the control thinking that I had to fix it. That I had to provide and make things happen. I have come away from this past week/weekend with a renewed childlike faith in my creator! I am sure that our Heavenly Father can do a lot more than this earthly father can! We are in His hands; for His purposes. All Praise and Honor and Glory to Him... and my song has returned to sing praise to His Name! He tells & shows us throughout the word, "It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God"...
Be encouraged, and find your song again!!!
Blessings,
Phillip
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