Skip to main content

The unpredictability of pioneering.


The coffee was ready, cookies nicely laid out on a plate, the preparation was done, and Shannon and I were ready. Ready to welcome one of the ladies we’d met in the windows to a Bible study she’d asked for. But this time was like the last time, she didn’t show up. We waited for an hour, knowing that she probably was a no-show after half an hours waiting, but still wanting to be available and hoping that she was just running late. Well, she never did come.

So we tidied everything away, and although we had so hoped she’d come, at least we got to have a nice chat while we were waiting. And the response of my heart to the reality of yet another missed appointment was not so much that she didn’t come, but hoping she was alright and that she wouldn’t feel ashamed to have missed our appointment.

As I was reflecting this evening I was reminded of the unpredictability of pioneering, and I guess of working with broken people. You never quite know how things will work out. And yet I don’t feel discouraged or disappointed. Maybe it’s something I’ve learnt over the years of having to deal with many many missed appointments (the less enjoyable ones being the 7am meetings with the kids in Brazil when I’d get up really really early to go with them to the doctor or some other appointment they’d have). I get sad for them, that they are missing out on opportunities which would bring them into more life, yet I have peace in the midst of it. I know that I can’t choose for anyone and I can’t make anyone do anything. I can just turn up and be available and not give up.

And I think the key is to not be doing it for their sake. As much as I wanted the lady to come today, the heart motivation for why prepared everything today was for God. Because I want Him to be loved by her, because He is my motivation. Without Him I don’t have enough love or patience, and I certainly don’t have the power to change anyone’s life. But He does. And He isn’t surprised by anything. Yet He chooses to use you and me to reflect His character and love. And He would wait and He would keep turning up and He would keep loving, no matter what the response.

And so I keep going. One opportunity at the time. Always hoping all things and bearing all things. Walking in patience and kindness, and not getting frustrated but choosing to believe all things, believe the best. Because that is what loving is, and that is what we’re called to do.

Popular posts from this blog

Taking in the familiar and a heart connected.

Amsterdam. It still has that muggy feeling in Summer, and a constant flow of people which if you stop to think about it, it's quite amazing that there would even be space to accommodate them all. But then I guess they are not all staying. Just passing through on their way to or from somewhere. It's always good for the heart to visit somewhere that was once home. The familiarity of streets and customs makes it easier to embrace what might be new as well as the joy of being reacquainted with old friends. Friends. So many of them to be found in this city, ready with hugs and good words that are uttered when seeing someone who was away again. Friendship. A treasure that cannot be bought. Cobblestones trodden by many, including myself. Sitting on a bench. Praying. Remembering the first time I stumbled upon this area lined with windows with red lights and curtains. An area which has come to represent no longer windows, but people to me. Some still behind a window. Others who have ...
Read more

Getting to know the local culture.

Life is a strange thing. Last week went…not much happened, and then it was over. The weekend was quite calm without too many wild and exciting things happening. Except, of course, a wee outing to watch the National Championship for Veteran Ploughing. Now, like me, you might be sadly lacking an understanding of what this actually means. So I am delighted to be able to enlighten you in this respect. It’s basically (for the “farm-language-illiterate” like myself) a competition where you use old (hence the name “veteran”) tractors and ploughs, and plough up a stretch of field which is then evaluated and the one scoring the highest sum (accuracy, depth, how well the soil is turned is all given points) wins. I must admit that this information I got by eavesdropping on a conversation next to me where a man was explaining to some of my friends how it all works. So that was a fun adventure….although we only stayed for a bit. What is sort of occupying my mind at present is my upcoming travel abr...
Read more

What was your dream?- scraping the surface of the heart of Albania

“What was your dream when you were 20?” That was a question our guide asked us as we were standing outside a huge derelict cement monument in Tirana, the capital of Albania. We’d spent the day touring and hearing a lot about the history and journey of Albania, a young country with more Albanians living in other countries than in Albania itself. A country where tourism has only really been built up the past 30 years. It was eye opening to hear more of the history, and it made me realise that this country is so much more than meets the eye. A country where the beaches and tourist area of Durres Riviera was packed with tourists, mostly from the Balcan area. A country where hospitality is ingrained in the culture, and where the friendliness of the people was noticeable. After a pause to let us reflect over the question of dreams, for some thinking further back than others, our guide told us that for him it had been to own a pair of jeans. That simple fact said so much. Both of what he...
Read more