Watering the bed

There are some things you do on a regular basis on the mission field that you never dreamed of doing. Last night before Elliana went to bed, I had to water her bed. Yep! I had to water her bed.

When we first moved down to Belize, it was the end of rainy season, and the beginning of a dry season and the bugs were plenteous. The poor little child had bug bites all over her. I would spray her down with "OFF!" right before bed, (which really is not a pleasant smell or feeling to sleep with). All the ants, mosquitos and flying things (with pinchers) just loved her fat little legs. In the morning I would check her out, put tea tree oil on all the bites, and change her bedding...AGAIN. Before nap time, I would check her bed again, put her down and after nap it was another routine of checking for bites, applying something to them...changing bedding or shaking it out...not fun, but necessary.

One of the Belizeans told me I should put the legs of the bed in bowls of water, so no bugs can get to her bed. Hmmmm....never thought about it before, but it should work! So I found some yogurt bowls and butter bowls, lifted up the crib and set it down into the bowls. Then I added water. It was interesting to see the next day what TRIED to get into her bed, but was drowned by the water instead.

So now, each day I check the water level, to see if more water is needed to keep the crawling bugs away. Last night I filled a pitcher and went to Ellie's room to water her bed.

The older I get the more I realize how every situation in my life usually has some spiritual application. Our trials are to make us stronger so there must be something to learn from them.

There is a verse in Ephesians that speaks of "washing of water by the word". The verse is referring to Christ and the church...but I think it might apply to my "watering the bed".

Without the "Water of the Word" in our lives, so many "bugs" just creep in. We may not even see them coming, but still they are there. They take over our hearts desires, and bite and devour our usefulness for God. Before we know it, we're covered with scars due to our lack of using the "Water of the Word" to protect us. Yet, if each day we water our souls with the Word of God, and we live in His will...we can live victorious over temptation and avoid the scars of sin. We can rest peacefully knowing that although the "bugs" are there, they cannot reach us.

Each day as I check the water in those little butter bowls...I also need to ask myself if there are things creeping into my life, that need to be washed away. How much water have I added to my soul?

Chosen

I was reading in John 15 this week and the verse that says, "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." seemed to jump out at me. I have thought on this verse many times this week. When I was a new Christian, I used to think that I chose Christ. I chose the path I would follow. I chose whether I would stay with my old friends or find new Christian friends. I used to think it was all my doing. Sure, Christ saved me...but I chose Him, and I chose the path I would follow. Here I am 17 years later, and my thinking has really changed.

It was God who chose me.

I began to think "Well, I wonder when He chose me?" Was it when I was a girl, and scared and alone? Did God see a girl riding a bus to Sunday School and decide then, "I choose HER"? Did He choose me when I would pray to Him; not even knowing who He was, but believing He was there?

No. He chose me before the foundation of the world. He wanted me all along. What a difference this makes in all of my thinking!

He orchestrated my life to give me an opportunity somehow, someway...to meet Him. He led my life down through valleys and up on the mountains, so I would see Him. He is in love with me, and will never leave me nor forsake me. What an awesome God!

I am amazed at how good He was to lead us here to Belize. To a needy people. A people uneducated on the ways of God. I have met Christians, who also have beliefs in the ways of witchcraft! Such confusion boggles the mind.

I am amazed that He led us here to work with the Leonard Family. It is so nice to be able to have friends to labor with. It is such a blessing to be able to invite friends over for pizza, or to go shopping together. The Lord sent the disciples out two by two, yet so many times missionaries go out alone. I am so thankful God led us to come here, to labor with someone. It seems when frustrating times come, that just being able to carry the load together, makes it so much lighter.

If God chose me, long ago...and He has led my life thus far, why would He stop now? I have often told my husband that after nearly 13 years of marriage, knowing what I know now...if I had to do it all over again, I would still choose him. I think that's how God feels about me. He has not given up on me, nor will He ever. He chose me. If he had to do it all over, knowing now what he knows...He would still choose me.