Leaps for Joy

 A few summers ago, we held a post Costa Rican Missions Trip game night at our home.

It was just a fun time to get together with some of our team members.

And if you can’t tell from the pictures, we had a pretty fun and funny time all together.

It was kind of an easy-going and fun occasion to celebrate the incredible time that we had all together on our Missions Trip.

If you’ve ever been on a Mission Trip, you know that while awesome, they can be incredibly busy and even a bit stressful.  The months and weeks and days leading up are full of planning and nervous anticipation.  And then the actual trip itself is this cacophony of people to see, places to go and things to do and accomplish.  Often times its a whirlwind, and one that can only be truly appreciated in the days and weeks and months following, where there is time to process and reflect and relax.

This night was that, for our incredible team.  I remember that we held it later in August, at a time when many of our team members had headed off to college.  But we really loved seeing the students that remained and enjoyed hosting them for a fun game night and time of reflection.

And as I write, I can almost feel that same sort of post big event relief and reflection.  Because this morning at 9:00am Michael went in for his shunt surgery.  And I spent quite a few hours this morning praying so strongly that Michael would do well and that the doctors and nurses would be able to perform his surgery with great success.

And when I finally got the text from Sally that all was well, I could breathe a huge sigh of relief.  Because in all actuality, brain surgery is kind of a big deal.  I tried not to spend too much time being anxious but in reality, it was hard not to be.  I did my best to take those anxious thoughts to Jesus and thanked him as I felt peace and calm knowing Michael was in great hands.

I spoke with Sally briefly this afternoon.  She shared that Michael was doing well and that everything had gone according to plan.  After I hung up with her, I totally felt the words of Psalm 28:7.  It’s funny, because I’ve shared the first part of this verse so many times.  It’s well worth sharing again, so I will.  It says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in him and he helps me.”  I’ve leaned on this verse so many times and even today prayed that God would be strength and a shield to Michael.  But the part right after?  Beautiful.  It says, “My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”  And this is exactly how I felt upon getting the good news about Michael’s surgery today.  My heart was overflowing with joy and hope and I made sure to stop and thank God for seeing Michael safely through.

Dear friends, we have so much to be thankful for knowing how God was with our friend Michael today.  God has been so faithful in hearing and in answering our many prayers.  And this should not go without notice and without taking another moment to thank God for all of the great things that He has done.

Sally asked that we could continue to pray that everything stays on track.  Michael has a bed at rehab for next Friday and so prayer for smooth sailing and a smooth transition would be greatly appreciated.