Pay It Forward

So, I'm halfway through my first week back to the real world after campout and I'm trying so hard to keep my new positive outlook on this journey to you. Today I had my first moment / test where I could've easily slipped into pity-party mode, but I fought the temptation off! I instead rejoiced in this journey and became prayerful that God would continue leading us to you.

I also decided to do a little reading tonight. I need to get better at drawing closer to God so that I can continue to stay strong in this journey. I can't pray that He keeps me strong and faithful and expect Him to do all the work. So, I decided in this time of positivity to thank Him by studying His word (that's another area to work one -- I can't just read when I'm feeling down and need help. I need to know and study His word in good and bad times.)

And wouldn't you know that our awesome God rewarded my small and insignificant efforts! I decided to start with 1 Corinthians 10 (since the verse that struck me Sunday came from this chapter). I began reading, highlighting, and enjoying a quiet evening on my back porch listening to some Christian music in the background. I found several verses that I loved and learned a lot tonight. But I finally came to the verse that I know God had just for me.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4, 6
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. And whether we be afflicted, it is four your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

I do not find it a coincidence that this would be what I would read tonight. Leaving campout, I told myself my focus needs to be less about me and my pain in this journey to you and more about the glory of Jesus Christ.  

As I read this verse, I found myself shaking my head in agreement. Of course. I have to pay it forward! This journey to you is not in vain. This journey has so many purposes. I first think the purpose is to prove the power of Jesus Christ to Keal. But as I was reading this verse, I realized that this journey is so much bigger than our family of two! The comfort God has given us throughout this journey, and will continue to show us, is so that we can pay it forward! I have been comforted through this trying journey and I have felt the peace of Christ. But it cannot stop with my own peace of mind. I must now seek out those who are also in pain and in need of comfort. I must now share the love and comfort of our Lord and pass this gift on to others. It is so easy to get caught up in our own pain that we forget about a world that if full of others dying and in pain.

So, I will continue on this journey to you with my head held high. I will continue on this journey to you thankful for the comfort Christ has shown me. And I will continue on this journey to you and share that comfort I have felt with others in the world. Christ's love cannot stop at me - I must pay it forward!!