Reflections

"Driving here is interesting, stop, start, swerve, slow, wait..yikes! The little boys who came up to the car at one stop were putting their heads on my window, giggling at me when I would wiggle my eyebrows.When they laugh, their eyes sparkle and give they a sly smile when you say hello to them in their language. The Holy Spirit is so present here. I've never had to trust God so much before, and guess what? I've never felt so much peace......."~from one of my very few journal entries in Africa.

I know I already posted some about Africa, but it is so heavy on my heart right now. I want to go back, but then, I realize that I don't have to go thousands of miles away to serve Jesus. Literally, I can sit where I am right now, and be the same kind of light I was while blowing bubbles and jump roping with the kids there. I don't think my siblings are saved, why can't I realize that they are just in need of Christ as any other 8,9, or 10 year around the world? I prayed and asked God for a especially servant's minded heart while I was there, to let the little things slip and be patient, kind, loving and gentle. And I really think he answered my prayers. But the thing is, I don't think I've whole-heartedly prayed for those things since. Isn't that awful? I have been so convicted of this. I am a light, and I reflect my savior. Sure, I'm a rusty, fogged up mirror, but he is gradually polishing me up to reflect him better. Does that mean I can be comfortable with snapping at my friends, siblings ect. for minor things that bother me, but aren't necessarily wrong, or correcting someone when they do sin out of anger? Christ corrects in love, and I should too. Maybe this means I should think a whole lot more before I open my big mouth. I know I struggle with this to, like being to loud, or trying to be funny.....My thoughts even, not setting my mind on Christ like things, and that comes out in the way I act. So thinking before I think would even be a good idea. (It does make sense, sort of, if you think about it) Ugh, I am so sinful. Can you believe God would ever love some as rotten as man? He sent his only son to die for us! How incredible is that? He loves me. HE loves me.... way down here on planet earth, a small little teeny, tiny, itty, bitty thing, and gave his life. He was carpenter. He got splinters and stubbed his toe, he got cold at night. He had foods that were is favorite and not so much, but he never complained, he never gave up. He, Jesus, the creator of the universe, left his heavenly, unimaginably beautiful home, and came to earth, not as a king as so many expected, but as a commoner. And because he didn't come and defeat the Romans and sit on a pathetic earthly throne like so many other men have done, he did something far greater. He gave us a far more magnificent gift, not one of fleeting trends or passing worldly things but of love.  He forgave us.  He wrapped us in his righteousness and now before the Father we are seen as spotless. How amazing is that? I love Him so much and I am so extremely thankful for his forgiveness and grace. Thank you Lord for saving me! Thank you for loving me. Please shine through me as the broken vessel I am and let your light be so bright that people instantly know it's YOU.
~Bugg