A Lesson Twice Needed

A few weeks ago I had the privilege to attend a prayer vigil for Pastor Saeed.  Pastor Saeed is an Iranian American Christian pastor imprisioned in Iran.  He is separated from his wife and their two children and has been for the past two years, yet he continues to shine for Jesus. You can read more about him and his story here.  

Honestly when I first felt like God was telling me to not only attend the prayer vigil but to serve as a greeter, I wasn't sure I would say yes.  Greeter?  Talk to complete strangers?  It was definitely out of my comfort zone.  

And honestly, I probably would have disobeyed this urging had it not been for my husband being out of town.  Going to this prayer vigil was better than sitting at home alone.  

So I signed up.

I had no idea what I would walk away with that night.

It was a beautiful time of worship and prayer with family and old and new friends.  

My heart broke for Pastor Saeed, his family, and others who are imprisoned because of their faith.

My heart was filled with thankfulness for the freedom I have as a believer.  A freedom that I too often take for granted.

My heart was encouraged through Pastor Saeed's words to his daughter.  Words of wisdom, faith, and encouragement.

In a letter written by Pastor Saeed to his daughter celebrating her 8th birthday, he referenced Habakkuk 3:17-19.  When this letter was shared with us that evening I felt God whisper in my ear telling me to go and read the book of Habakkuk.  He had something there just for me.

I couldn't wait to get home and see what it was God had for me in the book of Habakkuk.

I've been wanting to share it with you ever since but I haven't been able to find the words.  Every time I tried to sit down and write what God had shared with me it came out all jumbled up.

But today I read this post.  And she said it perfectly.

Go read it.  

Go ahead.  I'll wait.

Though I may never bear a child of my own...  Though I may never hear a tiny voice call me Mommy...  Though the wait is longer than I ever hoped or dreamed...

I will rejoice.

I will praise God because he is God.

He is worthy.

He is good always!

This verse, this blog post, and this story could not have come back to me at a more perfect time.

Andrew and I had a little family photo shoot Tuesday afternoon.  It was the hardest photo shoot.  I wasn't looking forward to it.  I cried over it.  I just wanted to get it over with.  

It wasn't the photo shoot I wanted.  It wasn't the photo shoot that involved a cute Baby Weaver or even an announcement that Baby Weaver was on the way.

It was just the two of us and our dogs.  AGAIN.

God was so good to use my husband, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Sandi to remind me of just how blessed I am.  I was reminded of those verses in Habukkuk and that I have reason to rejoice. 

God has already given me a beautiful -somewhat furry- family and although I cannot wait until the day we add a 5th member, my family is perfect just the way it is.

Thank you God for loving me and for blessing me with the perfect family.