“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3
It can be so easy to read someone’s blog and Facebook posts and think, “Wow! Everything is going really well!” In the midst of reading those messages, how often do we stop to think, “I wonder what isn’t being said? What’s going on behind the scenes?” This post is about that because, well, I’m human, too. Even though I’m focusing on being grateful for all the blessings God has been giving me, they haven’t come without challenges.
So, let’s rewind to early March when I found out that my renters wanted to extend their lease, and then I got a donation that would allow me be where I am now: back in Honduras. What I didn’t share with you in my last post is that just days after deciding to come back to Honduras, the devil attacked. He showed up in the form of someone whom I have called friend for many years. This person strongly objected to the change in plans and let me know about it in the most hurtful of ways, slinging slanderous words at me and attempting to feed me lies. I chose to not partake in such a poison-filled meal, but it hasn’t been easy to deal with the situation. I don’t tell you this to ask for sympathy, and I certainly don’t want pity. It’s just the unfortunate truth, and it’s a reminder of what happens all the time. When God’s at work in our lives and we’re being obedient to Him, the devil doesn’t like it, and he’ll try anything to stop us from following God’s path. Clearly, I was not to be deterred! I mean, when all of your closest friends and family are supportive of your decision and can see God’s hand in the midst of it, and just one person opposes you, who are you going to listen to?
In the midst of that arose another little snafu. Shortly after arriving back in Michigan, I found out that my renters had changed their minds and no longer planned to extend their lease. Little did I know that they had never signed the paperwork to extend the lease. I accept responsibility for not confirming that it was signed before buying my plane tickets, but my property management company also graciously accepted partial responsibility for not being in communication with me. This was a life lesson for me! In the long run, it’s not a big deal, but the extra rental income would have been nice! I confess that this change in plans did cause me to doubt a little bit, but I have to believe that God has a purpose for me to be back in Honduras once again.
Going back and forth between Michigan and Honduras in such a short amount of time has been another challenge. Eight hours of travel time is not sufficient for the heart and mind to catch up with the physical body! It took some time to adjust to being in Michigan again, and now I’m feeling the challenge of adjusting back to life in Honduras. I’ll probably just be feeling all nicely settled in again when it will be time for my semi-final farewell! I say semi-final not because I have concrete plans for another return trip but because I can’t imagine not ever coming back to Honduras at least for a visit!
As I reflect on these bumps in the road, I really get how very minor they are. In my short time back here, I’ve already heard of an elderly woman who just buried her oldest son and whose granddaughter is dying from lung cancer, leaving behind a husband and three little sons. I’ve heard of a woman with three children whose husband continues to be unfaithful and a drunk, and she’s taking the courageous step of leaving him, trusting God to provide for her. I’ve heard of siblings who lost their mother in a car accident last year, and just recently they lost their dad in another car accident.
Truly, I have much to be thankful for! But, just like I always told my patients who realized their situations were minor compared to others around them, what they are going through is real, and their struggles still matter. I think just having that insight and the perspective of thankfulness in spite of life circumstances—knowing that they could be so much worse—says a lot! What are you thankful for today?
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
