Your Story Matters.
If God is the Author of your life and Christ is the Author of your faith, then that means that your personal story is saying something. If you begin to write down your timeline with its defining events and ponder where God was in that timeline, you may discover a wonderful story and message. So often we remember the hard stuff because those really can form deep caverns of pain in our soul. Or perhaps we think about the labels we have received by those in authority over us. But let us ask God to show us His light in and throughout our lives so that we may receive insight, purpose, meaning, and direction. We will begin to see a Mastermind at work in our very lives.
One day as I followed a prompt to savor a fond memory in which I was free and creative, I realized that I had so many beautiful memories that are still an active part of who I am today. And those parts are the gift that I can keep sowing into the lives of those around me. Do not take your unique personality lightly for it can be the vessel, a humble vessel, with which Christ can do His most marvelous work for the kingdom of God. Here are some verses to meditate on:
“looking unto Jesus, the originator and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
“..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Freedom’s Story
This year as we were gearing up for our SmartBox season, we felt led to give our stories away. It dawned upon me that we usually don’t lead into relationships and discipleship with our testimony. Perhaps it comes from years of being in circles where our friends were graced with “growing up in Christian households,” and respecting many who had stories of learning to trust Christ for themselves after growing up going to church. Sometimes our “once I was blind and now I see” testimonies seem a bit dramatic.
But we felt called back into sharing openly about our past and how Christ redeemed it. One particular story had to be told. It is the very reason and driving force for SmartBox. It is Freedom’s story. A troubled teen, angry, resentful, and depressed. A visiting substitute teacher (or an angel, since he was never seen again) saw more in this withdrawn and disinterested youngster who was vandalizing the desk with a fantastic drawing instead of doing his work or participating in actual learning.
What this teacher did, his act of kindness, literally changed the course of Freedom’s life, which was on the verge of joining a street gang. He purchased him an art kit, filled with everything that wasn’t available at home for creativity. Things that were sometimes stolen and mostly out of reach.
The message was simple:
“You can.” The words he gave to a thirsty soul were tremendous and watered well, with a ripple effect. He spoke into existence the idea of traveling with this gift of art, he spoke of “going far,” and for Freedom going far meant the hope of leaving the government housing projects of Lower East Side Manhattan, of leaving the poverty within his heart and home.
I know that SmartBox isn’t primarily an art kit, but we hope to let the kids know that we are thinking of them, that they can dream, and give their effort, and that we are interested in their educational and spiritual well-being.
This year, we celebrate that we have gifted 150 boxes. In our first year, we did 70 and 100 in our second year. This year, our third year, we celebrate that we found great mom-and-pop shops that give us great deals and the SmartBoxes were twice the size of our first box, enabling us to fit more supplies. We thank the Lord for leading us, along with the help of friends, to create handmade cards and personalize each box by name. We couldn’t do this without our faithful SmartBox sponsors. Whether you support us in prayer, stuffing boxes with us, partnering with our family, or donating to SmartBox directly, we did it! We did it together!
Praise:
For providing strength and people to help us carry out summer outreach, along with SmartBox events.
For new connections with ministry sites and deeper connections with our existing sites.
For the safety of our short-term visitors and our family.
For renewed hope to continue our time of service in Ecuador.
For help for our sons living in the States. Joshua found a management job and is continuing to go to school slowly. He has also found a church home and community. Jonathan was able to move into an affordable room and buy a used car while continuing to work at the Ark Encounter.
Join us in Prayer:
We pray for wisdom in discipleship relationships, and that we would be effective in helping young adults and adults grow in their love and life in Christ.
We pray for deeper connections with the kids that we teach.
We pray for wisdom for the repair and sale of our home in Georgia.
We pray for continued financial provision, as we have had unforeseen expenditures.
We pray for favor as we are “tent-making,” that is, attempting to use our artwork and freelance to help provide for us financially.
