Prayer update

The words of Theodore Roosevelt hang above my computer screen. This morning, like many mornings, I spend a few moments reflecting on them as the resonnate with my heart:

 

"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

 

Lately, I feel like that man...the one in the arena, face marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, though errs and comes short again and again. My role as the new Director of Children and Family Mobilization is in full swing, and I feel the weight of it. As we sit at the drawing board, trying to brain storm a name for our ministry and work out ideas for our next project, I am stretched on every level. Like a child walking around in her daddy's shoes, I feel the growth I need to fulfill this position.

And so I stretch. I say with Paul, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them —yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." (1 Corin 15:10). I read. I ask questions. I fall on my knees in prayer. I give everything I have, leaving everything on the table. I never stop believing that God is able. That He confides in those He loves. That in the end we will see the lives of families transformed.

PRAY for me during this season of stretching and learning, asking our Father for greater grace, strength, and stamina.

PRAY for creativity, insight, and wisdom as we work out our next full-time project, wrap up the Perspectives family take home sheets...and that the Lord would give our ministry a name!

PRAY to the Lord of the Harvest for more laborers to complete our children's family team, as we seem to be losing the few people we do have.

PRAY for sweet intimacy with Him after a long and busy summer. I need to be filled so I can empty myself again. Next week, on August 22nd, I celebrate 10 years of walking with Jesus. I am taking the afternoon off to head to a nearby lake and celebrate with my Savior...PRAY that my time will fuel me for the season ahead as I reflect on all He has done.

 

Slowly, my support team is growing. I am back up to the $2800 in commitments I was out when I moved here almost a year ago (can you believe it...almost a year!). I am working to raise the remaining $800 a month needed to get to my new budget.

PRAY for a God's blessing and provision over my current financial partners, that God would continue to give them joy and provision as the partner with me

PRAY for God's continual provision of my daily bread and the remaining $800 a month needed to be fully funded. I am asking for 8 people at $100 a month.

May your heart be filled with great faith today in the one who is able to do more than we ask or imagine...so that even if you fail, you fail while daring greatly.

 

FOR our KING and HIS KINGDOM!

 

"Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God." -William Carey