Author: Wick

“Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open…“

There we stood, at the altar lined with flags from all over the world.  It was a “Missions” weekend at our church.  Certainly, every weekend we worship in the context of joining with the global Church.  But this weekend in particular we hosted a missionary couple, and focused on praying our family across the globe.  This time, more than ever before, we prayed for our “family in Christ”.  It was as if God and the worship pastor conspired to know exactly what would grab onto my hearts’ usually untapped emotion, and stretch it tight.

“..all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid.”

It was a busy weekend.  I was preparing to leave town for a Small Groups conference in Atlanta, and trying to cram as much family time into these days as I could.  I’ll admit, it’s not just for their sake, either.  We did a flash-light pajama party at the park near our house.  We enjoyed a “Missions Breakfast” where my girls made houses out of cardboard trash.  We hiked through the woods, enjoying beautiful fall weather.  I even got to take my wife out on a date for gluten-free baked goods and live music.

“..Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit...”

So I’ll confess, as I moved to the altar that morning – my mind was not centered on Christ.  I was going through the checklist of everything I’d packed for my 18-hour bus ride after church.  I was hoping I’d done enough to prepare my family for my being gone a few days.  I even thought about the NHL lock-out, and how sad it was that I hadn’t watched any hockey yet this season.  But as we moved toward the altar, even though I was simply doing what I know we should be doing…God was waiting for me.

“..that we might perfectly Love you, and worthily magnify Your Holy Name...”

We sang the hymn “I’m Praying For You.”  As we stood there singing, the words I spoke to my daughter hit me even harder than they may have hit her…”We’re praying for your sister.”  The little girl who is in Africa somewhere, waiting for us to come bring her home.  I want to share Jesus with her.  I want to Love Jesus with her.  I want to offer her freedom from burdens, and comfort/peace in Christ.

“..through Christ our Lord.“

But this past week, I’ve thought more about the NHL Lockout than I have the conflict in the DRC.  My mind knows more about the issues between the players and owners of hockey – than it does the Government and Rebels of the country my daughter is currently stranded in.  My eyes began to water (not tears, just allergies…er somethin’), and I held my daughter and put my arm around my wife as we sang together.  As we prayed together.  As I prayed, “Lord, give me more of a burden for things of significance than things of little significance.

Sure, many people depend on the existence and happening of an NHL season.  But not me.  Not my daughters.  Not my family.  You may read this, and think how silly it may sound – but for me it was an important moment of God checking my heart.  What burdens was I carrying that mattered?  What burdens am I carrying that really aren’t burdens at all?  What can I release, so that my arms are free to lift up new prayers?

How is your heart opening to God this week?

Here we go again with another “Five Minute Friday” post!  To learn more about “Five Minute Friday” (FMF), check out the linked image here.  Basically, each week there’s a word given for you to write about.  You start writing, no back-tracking, editing, etc.  At the end of 5 minutes, you stop.  Then you post it, and share in the community of words that were birthed during these 24-ish hours.  It’s cool stuff.
So here’s this week’s response to the word:  Quiet.

There are so many voices.  I love getting up early on purpose, so that I begin the day well – but more than not the day ends up waking me up.  A small voice, politely announcing in one way or another -it’s time to wake up.  Those are the cute moments.

Fast forward to a moment later in the day, when socks feel funny and shoes don’t fit, and the pants are too loose….no, now too tight…dropping to the floor and screaming like she’s trying on hot lava instead of cotton.

And sometimes, all I ask them for, is a moment of quiet.  You – sit on that chair.  You – on the couch.  You – on the other chair.  I exit the room breathing deep, and go give mom a hug – she does this far more than I do.  How does she stay sane? 🙂

I’ve always loved quiet.  I remember growing up going to camps, and leading worship in bands through college.  One of my favorite parts of the week were the mornings when no one else was awake yet.  Getting up at 5 or 6am, to go enjoy a few moments in undisturbed nature.  To witness creation waking to another day, and begin my day giving thanks to God for it all.

I understand why Jesus was often leaving to be in solitude and prayer.  Maybe his disciples sometimes felt like a group of toddlers, all missing the point of what he was up to – and bringing what they thought was most important to him.   Telling him their worries.  Explaining why the garments of the Kingdom he was offering to them didn’t feel like they fit right….

Grr…..5 minutes is up.
Still…I think I like where that went. 🙂

I’m legit.

A couple months ago, as I was talking to a friend about waiting for our adoption process to move forward, he asked if I had my passport yet.  He and I smiled together as I realized that even if we had all the money and a referral that day, I’d have to apply and wait for a passport before I could travel anyway.  My wife went on a missions trip to the Philippines back in 2011, so she’s fine.  But I’ve not crossed US Borders since traveling to Israel in 1998.

I needed a birth certificate to begin the process.  I filled out the necessary online forms, and paid a bit to have an official copy sent to me.  A few weeks later, I was ready – birth certificate in hand.

So I went to apply.  It was a frustrating trip.  I went to Walgreens to get my picture taken for my passport, and they told me I couldn’t wear a white dress shirt.  So I went to the back of the store, put a cheap giant blue shirt on over it, and was given the thumbs up.  Then I went downtown to the post office.  Walking past a sign that read, “Apply for your Passport Here”, I waited in line through much of lunch.  Arriving at the desk, I was informed they no longer process passports at that branch.  So I drove across town to another office.  I filled everything out, only to be told I couldn’t apply for a passport, because my birth certificate was not acceptable.

My birth certificate was not acceptable?

You see, I was officially adopted by my dad as he married my mom when I was a teenager.  Because my name changed, they had to re-issue my birth certificate, and so the date of my birth did not match the date my birth certificate was registered.  So I simply needed to prove I was adopted, and document the name change.  Easily done, right?

Except after a few days of waiting on the county I was born in to respond, they apologized – my records had sustained water damage in a flood a few years back.  They would do their best to rescue and recreate the documents I needed.  Several weeks later, I was notified the papers were in the mail.  Sure enough, they came and my application was sent in.

In the meantime, I’ve faced similar issues with the USCIS in the process of being approved.  I’ve had to re-apply to the county in Michigan, to get copies of BOTH name changes I went through growing up: 1st – when my parents divorced at age 11, and 2nd – when my mom remarried.  It’s a bit complicated.

But it’s so very worth it.

I don’t know her name yet.  I’ve not seen her picture.  We’ve gotten turned down for some grants.  I’m jumping through hoops here.  But slowly, one step at a time, we are bringing her home.  We are rescuing our daughter.  Our girls are praying for their sister, in new ways every day.  Last week our 4 year old prayed, “And God, please help the big animals to not eat her.”  Ah yes..we visited the Lions at the zoo last month.  Silly home-school field trip. 🙂

So much I don’t know.  But I do know – I love her.  Thankful for ways I’m able to act out that Love, even now…

And thankful that if the call came, and the money was there….I’m ready to go. 🙂