Our Ongoing Battle
It often happens that when we sense the Spirit moving and we see encouraging things in ministry, Satan comes behind and tries to sow discouragement. That is something we experienced this 2 weeks ago.
Every Monday Tom meets with a group of boys from our neighborhood. Some we know really well and others we are just getting to know. They meet for Bible study and basketball. Tom really sensed the Spirit moving during the Bible study this last Monday. They were reading the parable of the lost sheep. Tom was able to put the story in a context that the boys would understand and they were very engaged.
Afterwards the boys played basketball. Just before they left there was an altercation with some of the boys and one got hurt. This led to a stressful time of figuring out what really happened as Tom had stepped away for a quick moment and did not see what happened.
We were able to come up with a resolution for the situation and Tom has resumed meeting with the boys, but it was definitely a reminder of the battle that is being waged over the hearts of those we work with.
Please pray for the continued softening of the hearts of the boys Tom works with and also for the protection and strengthening of their hearts against the attacks of the enemy, Ephesians 6:12.
Pray also that we would not give in to discouragement or disappointment. I (Vicki) am often reminded by a quote from Amy Carmichael when I get discouraged or disappointed as I work with people:
Every Monday Tom meets with a group of boys from our neighborhood. Some we know really well and others we are just getting to know. They meet for Bible study and basketball. Tom really sensed the Spirit moving during the Bible study this last Monday. They were reading the parable of the lost sheep. Tom was able to put the story in a context that the boys would understand and they were very engaged.
Afterwards the boys played basketball. Just before they left there was an altercation with some of the boys and one got hurt. This led to a stressful time of figuring out what really happened as Tom had stepped away for a quick moment and did not see what happened.
We were able to come up with a resolution for the situation and Tom has resumed meeting with the boys, but it was definitely a reminder of the battle that is being waged over the hearts of those we work with.
Please pray for the continued softening of the hearts of the boys Tom works with and also for the protection and strengthening of their hearts against the attacks of the enemy, Ephesians 6:12.
Pray also that we would not give in to discouragement or disappointment. I (Vicki) am often reminded by a quote from Amy Carmichael when I get discouraged or disappointed as I work with people:
"Better (to) be disappointed a thousand times - yes, and deceived - than once miss a chance to help a soul because of that faithless inhibition that grows, before we are aware of it, into suspicion and hardness...
But the love of God suffices for any disappointment, for any defeat. And in that love is the energy of faith and the very sap of hope."
Gold Cord pg 295
Gold Cord pg 295
We will pray! We'd love to hit Longwood with you guys this summer- finally :) Send me an email at i2thee@hotmail.com if you get an itch to go push the stroller there sometime.
ReplyDeleteKaren, Jeff and Hadley