I love to give.  I give to love.

If you are aware of the book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, you’ll remember the five basic ways we show love:

• Acts of service
• Gifts
• Words of Affirmation
• Physical Touch
• Quality Time

Yep.  I’m a giver.  All of these are ways that we give/receive love, but most of us tend to lean toward one or two of them… mine being gifts and acts of service.

SO… from the moment my daughter, son and grand baby boarded a plane for Madagascar, I started collecting things to send.

It’s not an easy task–it takes approximately six weeks for packages to arrive, so planning ahead is key:  I mailed Jane’s birthday package right after they left so that it would arrive in plenty of time for her November birthday.

It never arrived.

I mailed Christmas packages separate so that they could still be a surprise on Christmas morning–Emily’s to Jason and Jason’s to Emily.

The postmaster made them open the packages at the post office.

I have had to learn patience–and contentment.  I do my best on this end, and remain grateful for what actually arrives in one piece on the other end. (Even when the chocolate chips are melted = a giant chocolate bar!)

Right now they are in a time of transition/limbo.  They’ve finished language school, and can officially move to their ministry site, but their crate hasn’t arrived yet.  The crate that they packed up a year ago.  The crate with all of the things that will help make Madagascar home.

SO… they’re waiting.

So am I.

I can’t mail any more packages, because if they arrive at their current location, they will never get it if they’ve already moved.  I can’t mail it to their future location yet, because if they’re delayed and can’t pick it up, who knows what would happen to it.  Which means…

I’M IN A GIVING FREEZE! :0) (And things are piling up!)

It’s like someone is holding me back from what I do naturally… and it makes me feel helpless, even though I know that its far from the TRUTH.

The first and most important thing I do for them is PRAY.  More than anything physical, they are sustained by the spiritual.

They may miss chocolate chip cookies–but they crave purpose.

Dr. Pepper might be the greatest gift they could receive in the mail, but the WORD is what refreshes them.

Because I love them so, my heart’s desire is to bless them and make life a little easier for them; so I give.  Realistically, the greatest need is not physical–its spiritual, and I know that.  Prayer is what keeps me focused as well.  God provides all that they need, and will give them contentment in their circumstances.

The first time I REALLY came to understand what a missionary was, I was teaching a class of toddlers called, “Mission Friends”, and learned this simple song: (to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”)

I’m a missionary’s helper,

praying every day,

I’m a missionary’s helper,

my dollars go God’s way!

Winning precious souls to Jesus

my heart is all aglow,

I’m a missionary’s helper:

Pray and Give and Go!

 God often brings this simple song to my mind when I’m thinking of them (and others).  Praying for them is a privilege and knowing that we serve a God who is faithful means that this momma can give it all to Him: my hopes, my fears, my dreams, my plans.  He loves them more than I ever could.  He knows exactly what they need, and He is JEHOVAH-JIREH, God Who Provides.

Whether you’re a mommy to preschoolers, toddlers or teens, or like me–an empty-nester, never underestimate the power of praying for your child.

Prayer is a gift.

A gift of love from God to us and for us.

“But the greatest of these is love…” I Corinthians 13

–Vickie

You might also enjoy:

What DO Missionaries Do?!

The Key to Letting Go

On the Faith of Our Love?