Provision

I've heard from many missionaries that one of the hard parts of returning home on furlough is the realization that life has continued on for friends and family without you. We all want to think that life just stands still so that when we are able to return, we have not missed out on anything. Well a bit over a week ago, I was reminded that life, and death, do go on without me. My lifelong friend named Dustin was taking pictures of the tsunami waves and was taken to meet the Lord by one of the waves. Death is something difficult for me to assimilate surrounded by friends and family. It's also difficult when the person is older or dies peacefully in their sleep. But this is now the second time in my life a friend has died with such violence. It makes it more difficult somehow. It is also made more difficult by being without my dear friends and family to turn to.
I write this to ask for prayers for his family and friends. Dustin was loved by many. He had so many friends! I'm also asking for prayer for me. Prayer to continually feel the Lord's arms surrounding me as I know they are. Prayer also to take comfort in the fact that Dustin is Home and living even more adventurous than he did here.
I titled this Provision because as I began to post this blog, I saw my last post regarding the intimacy felt at the Pure Joy retreat. How awesome is our King to bring me so close to Him, that when heartache hits, I didn't have to go anywhere to be in His arms, I was already there.
There was a song we sang at the retreat I had never heard before called 'The more I seek You'. It's a beautiful song but one line specifically speaks to my heart every time I hear it. 'This Love is so deep, it's more than I can stand. I melt in Your Peace, it's overwhelming.' How often, and for me it's been often throughout my past, do I feel that I can't stand the difficult situation I'm in? Or how often do I feel overwhelmed? When I heard this line I came to realize, the Lord's Peace and Love do not change. It's right there to 'overwhelm' me. I need only to turn to Him and receive it. It's right there for you too.