It was Sunday night June 16, around 6pm, as I was pulling into my garage when I came to the realization that I did not have my passport for Millcreek Community Church's missions trip to Cap Haitien, Haiti - and we are leaving next week. I had mailed my passport out to process my work visa for China. I will be in China all of August this summer. I mistakenly told the visa processing company that I did not need my passport back until the end of July before I headed off to China, completely forgetting I needed it for Haiti June 27 - July 6. I was a crying mess as I quickly grabbed my stuff from my car and ran inside my apartment.
With tears streaming down my face I fumbled with my cellphone to text Pastor Brad the news. Brad said he and Jill would pray. I then navigated to the visa company's website only to find out their offices do not open until Monday morning at 8:30am. What was I to do?!? My anxiety was sky rocketing, thinking of the worst case scenarios. I called Katie, a wonderful woman of godly encouragement in my life, who is also going on the trip to Haiti. She answered and I told her the news. She assured me God's hand was on the situation and reminded me He is in control. She prayed for me over the phone and I could feel the tears slowing down. I also called Maggie, a dear sister in Christ whom I miss terribly, and she too assured me that nothing is out of God's control. I am so thankful the Lord has placed such strong Christian women in my life.
After talking to Katie and Maggie, I laid on the floor of my living room, in complete submission to Christ. I knew there was nothing I could do between Sunday night and Monday morning - except rely on Christ. He will provide. The Lord has a plan and whatever is in His plan cannot be stopped (Job 42:2). I prayed fervently that God would relieve me of the anxieties of not having my passport for Haiti and that I would be able to sleep soundly, that I may bring Him glory on Monday. As I prayed I felt the Lord's presence as my tears stopped completely and my breathing slowed. I reached out to many of my friends and asked for their prayers as well. I was able to sleep soundly and I awoke refreshed Monday morning.
I called the visa processing company and Monday morning they had just received my passport and visa from the Chinese embassy!! Hallelujah!! They said they could rush ship my passport back and I would have it by Wednesday this week. For the rest of the day I kept refreshing the UPS tracking site, waiting to see an update on when the package would ship. Late Monday night the information was updated and it showed that my passport would arrive Tuesday morning!! I worked from home this morning so that I could be here to sign for the package. At 10:30am our prayers were answered again, my passport was in my hands! The Lord is always at work in my life but sometimes I forget and He needs to remind me to continually rely on Him.
Job 42:2
"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."
This afternoon I found myself being pulled downward. I was a bit stressed throughout the day and hit lots of traffic while driving across town causing me to miss my dentist appointment. Usually something like this would not bother me but all of a sudden I felt overcome with frustration. I had left work to try and make this appointment and now I would have to miss work again to make the rescheduled appointment. I had a pile of work to do when I got home along with assigned homework for the course I am taking. My mind started going in every direction and before I knew it I was crying. I had to pull over.
But here is where the story turns Glorious.
God has taught me to turn to Him in times of frustration and grief. As I sat in a store parking lot on 38th Street I began to pray. Psalm 4 came to mind. As I prayed to God I asked him to "give me relief from my distress". From His Word, I knew He was listening to my prayer. I sat in my car and was silent listening to the Lord. And all the glory to Him, my anxiety subsided. Peace came over me.
I am always amazed at how the Lord can utilize a seemingly dismal situation to bring glory to Him. God reminded me that He should be the focus of my life, not the things of this world. I live for Christ and Christ alone. He is the Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Almighty God! Amen!
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
