This Is How I Love

(For Our Missionaries)

I love

Not by standing here

Waiting for you to come to me

But by traveling across miles

Across continents

To a land unknown to me.

I love

Not by showing you my culture

But by seeing yours.

Wearing your clothes,                          

Eating your food.

I love

Not by knowing everything

But by knowing the humility

That comes by learning your language. 

I love

Not by shouting to thousands

But by looking for one precious soul

To show God's love.

I love

Not for the reward of your love for me

But for the hope that you will

Arise and shine –

And knowing that a little one

Shall become a thousand

And a nation will come and worship.

My Prayer (If I'm Honest With Myself)

Dear Father,

Thank You for the many blessings

You give me each day.

The food on the table,

Our daily bread

                We’re almost out of bread.

                And while I’m at it

                I’ll get chicken and green beans.

                Maybe I’ll swing by the store after work.

Thank You, Lord, for my job

That meets my needs.

                I need

                To get to the office early

                And finish those reports.

                But wait!

                The plumber is supposed to come at ten.

                I wonder what time that really means.

                It’s always something with this old house.

Thank You, God, for this old house

That keeps us warm and dry.

It is full of so many memories of my family.

Father, bless my family.

Bring us closer together.

                Why doesn’t my mother-in-law like me?

                What more can I do?

Make me a blessing

To everyone I meet.

Give me Your eyes

To see with compassion the needs of others.

Fill me with Your love.

Let it overflow

Onto all I do.

                I have so much to do!

Help me

To find my rest in You.