Life-Giving Love

A month ago I didn’t know them. Yet when our paths parted Monday I thought my heart might explode with gratitude to God for bringing them into my life.


I had the privilege of serving in Romania for three weeks alongside eleven new friends from William Jessup University in California.  I was captivated by their passion for God, their spiritual maturity, their powerful prayers and enthusiastic praise; the way they lavished God’s love on those so thirsty for hope; their authenticity, intentionality, and deep joy; their testimonies, flexibility, selflessness, and their ability to look each other in the eye and speak truth and encouragement. 


If I had to sum up their impact in one phrase, I would choose life-giving. Often I return exhausted after being away on a mission trip, but instead, I am simply tired. I don’t feel drained. On the contrary, serving alongside this team was energizing. 

I had to catch a flight home to North Carolina a day before their flight to California. The evening before I left, my new friends encircled me and poured their prayers out for me. As my tears flowed, my heart filled. The depth of my love for my new friends is a testimony to the miracle of God knitting our hearts together for His purposes and our joy. The gift of their friendship makes me feel very loved by God! 


A long time ago when I was in college I read a book called “God is No Fool” by Lois Cheney. I have always remembered her writing about "Bits and Pieces."

I believe in God’s master plan for our lives. People move in and out of each other’s lives, and each leaves his mark on the other. You find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who have touched your life, and you are more because of it, and you would be less if they had not touched you.

Thank God for Team Unity, my brothers and sisters in Christ, friends, partners in the Gospel. I am grateful for the beautiful bits and pieces of you that have made my life more. So much more. 




I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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 1:3-5).

4 comments:

  1. So glad this was not simply a team but a group of friends for you and eager partners in ministry. May God bless you all.

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  2. I long for that kind of experience in ministry. Love the bits and pieces part...so true. Blessings to you! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart

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  3. Kim,

    It's so encouraging to me when I see young people living lives of sacrificial service to the Lord. It gives me hope that perhaps the Lord really is preserving a remnant for his glory. Blessings to you!

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  4. Ohhh - so lovely. And not so far from me. What a wonderful testimony of how a team of people can truly make a difference in how ministry can have an affect on us and those we serve. Thank you so much for linking up this wonderful and encouraging post. I hope you'll be back by again today to link up.

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Each week I write a BOG (Brag On God) post. My prayer is that my words will invite you to brag on God, too. And together we'll make God smile.