Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Like a: CHILD


            I remember when I was a little girl and my favorite spot to be was my dads lap. My dad had his own special chair in the living room that he sat in everyday, no one else. I can still picture the warm lamplight that would illuminate my dads grey eyes and endless wrinkles. My dad would prop one leg up on his knee, and as a little girl I would climb onto his lap and sit right in the middle where I fit perfectly. It didn’t matter what fun games, laughter, or chaos that were going on in the living room, I would not be distracted, I was in my dads arms telling him my own stories and hearing his stories.
Most mornings I would even wake up at the crack of dawn to make his orange juice for him to drink while he was at work. My mom would hug and kiss my dad goodbye, and so would I. I will never forget the smell of his coffee stained, orange juice smelling beard. My dad would choose one of my siblings to take on breakfast dates every Saturday; if I was the lucky child to get picked to go on this fun adventure then I was the happiest kid in the world! I loved being in my dad’s presence.
I also remember the times when it would be a long school day, and I would give my mom nothing but trouble. Instead of disciplining us herself, she would tell us “wait until dad gets home”. Disappointing my dad was always the worst. Seeing his grey eyes not so bright, but disappointed, changed my heart. Though, even after being restricted from watching TV, a few tears, maybe even a few jumps of temper tantrums, at the end of the day, I would still climb onto my dad’s lap and be so absolutely loved. The past was in the past, I was in my dad’s arms and that’s all that mattered.

Reflecting on these memories as an adult brings an instant smile to my face; I pray that I will never lose these memories. To compare and contrast my relationship with my dad on earth and with my Dad in Heaven, God, gives my heart a better comprehension of God’s father heart for me. It’s a beautiful blessing that our God calls us His sons and daughters, and loves to spend time with us. He has a special place on his lap for each one of us and adores listening to our endless stories, and He also adores to share His own.
This idea though, of a disappointed dad on earth is different from our Dad in Heaven. When we fall down, when we make mistakes, it’s his compassion and grace that is seen in His eyes. Me, being human distorts my vision to see God’s eyes. How can I understand a dad of complete and total grace?
His grace for His children is an overflow, a never-ending fountain of hope for each person who accepts God as their personal Dad. To be human means its difficult for us to comprehend the forgiveness and grace of our Dad, but even Jesus spoke about the beauty of being a humble child, and how necessary it is to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 18:3-4
“…I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Jesus, telling it like it is. We need to receive it, believe it and walk in it. I for one will make the choice to do so, to climb on my Father in Heaven’s lap and be wrapped in His presence.



Saturday, June 22, 2013

to be: Faithful


Before coming back to Paris people would ask me questions. 

What was my actual goal in joining a missions organization, what did I really believe God wanted to do in my life? Do I have a desire to build a ministry; do I want to forever be a missionary, or my favorite question, what kind of need is there in a Western country like France?

I would try my best to give them a simple answer, and of course it was always accompanied by a verse.

“Well, all I know is right now is that I am young, single, no babies, no wrinkles or aching bones, I might as well give my all and follow God wherever He takes me and do whatever He asks me while I have this freedom right?”

Ecclesiasties 12:1-3 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs the guards of your house start to tremble; and before your shoulders the strong men stoop. Remember him before your teeth your few remaining servants stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows see dimly.”

Usually people would just laugh at me and tell me that’s easy to say now. I wonder what they were really thinking, what they really wanted to say.

So here my best friend, my Lord, my God has taken me. I am in my third month of making beds, stumbling in the process of the French language, playing with Parisian kids in the park, and making a slight dent through prayer and determination in one of the most influential cities in the world, Paris.

When we are faithful to Him, He is faithful to us.

Deuteronomy 7:9
 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

You ask me what I am doing with my life, I am giving all that my human self is capable of giving to my Maker who gave His all for me.



Sunday, March 31, 2013

Paris take 2! I have arrived!


Dear friends and family,

            Hello there! Yes I am alive and well and settled in my flat in Paris, France! Journeying here wasn’t too bad,; on the 7 and a half hour long airplane ride I made a friend with a Jewish University student who was full of good and interesting conversation so the time went by fast, and before I knew it my dear friend Amber who is also staff at YWAM Paris greeted me at Charles de Gaul airport.
             Since then it has been a whirlwind of excitement and lots of settling in! I live in a decent sized apartment in Belleville with three other fellow YWAMer’s and we also have a friend boarding with us for the next month. It is SUPER cozy in the apartment but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
            I have also met with my leaders here and they have already assigned me to special jobs! I’m writing the blog and running our Facebook page. I’m also helping with hospitality, which means making beds and folding laundry (ob boy!) for our guests that come through. And my most favorite of responsibilities is Friday’s I’m looking after three kids for a French family that are leaders of King’s Kids Paris. I get to plan fun activities, and hopefully brush up on my French since they don’t speak any English, what fun!
            Speaking of my FRENCH we had our first French lesson today! We will be totally immersing ourselves in the language, we have French class 3 times a week for 2 hours, plenty of homework, and we also will be having creative French learning times! I am super nervous about tackling a whole language but I know God will give me lots of grace and help.
            I also got the opportunity last week to help at our restaurant Kiwizine. Cooking in the kitchen was loads fun, but crazy being cramped up in a tiny kitchen! I mainly worked on putting the entre’ together and with the deserts. It was challenging but everything turned out delicious!
            So God and I are really being creative with making things feel natural in this big city. I am already feeling at home and enjoying being back with the team here in France.

If you would like to pray for me here are some good ideas…

*Pray for God’s help and grace in learning French. I’m already getting a bit afraid of it !

*Pray that God will provide more in FINANCES. I still need a lot more people to sponsor me in monthly financial support, so if God puts it on your heart to support me please email me!

*Pray that my team stays connected to each other so we can serve God and the city of Paris the most efficiently

            Thank you all for taking time to read this and for supporting me in my journey, it means the world! God bless!

-Eleanor Wynne

paypal: eleclaire@aol.com