Dad's Day!

Today was my first "real" Sunday here in my new home and I was quite excited as I was going to be getting together with my family here to meet and hear from Dad through his word. So I got up this morning and was about to get in the shower when I noticed that the water was just not getting warm. I thought to myself, "NOOOOO! I really need and want a warm shower!"  I decided after waiting for 10 minutes or more for the water to warm up that it just wasn't going to happen. So, to make myself feel better about not getting a shower and to get myself out of a bad mood, I decided to eat my first pop-tart! Which by the way, was soooo Yummy and it worked! I decided this morning that there was nothing that could stop me from seeking Him, even a yucky cold shower or lack of one! My time this morning with my group was so good. It's quite different than what it looks like back home. There's no song books or big buildings. In fact, we met together in one of our homes, with our shoes off, Katie and I wrapped up in a warm blanket because it's cold here now. We worshipped the Father, sang songs, and spent time lifting our needs up and praising Him. My mind went back several times to my friends at home though, many of them just now were rolling out of bed, getting their showers which were probably HOT, and driving to a big building. It felt kinda weird to be honest.  Our passage this morning was from Dr. Luke where he reminds us that we are to love our enemies, do good to those who mistreat us, and lift up those who curse us. I have to be honest here, that is TOUGH stuff! It's easy for me to love my teammates who have been so kind and gracious to me this week. It's easy for me to love the girl who just smiles and helps me out at the grocery store across the street, but it's tough to love the lady who snickers when I attempt to speak in Arabic the few words that I have learned so far, or the taxi cab driver who wouldn't help me with the change...  But that is who I am called to love! As I ponder over these words from the Great Physician, I have to stop and evaluate all that I do and all that I am. Am I loving those who are unloving and mean to me? Am I loving the ones who curse and mistreat me? Dad told me I had too! Ouch!! The cool thing that I took away from that lesson is that Dad does it through me, if I'm abiding in HIM daily. I want to love like that, so I'm gonna choose to get up daily and abide in Him!  I have lots more to learn about Dad's kinda love...