David Green & Lauri Krentz will be married on June 2, 2007
The concept of God's providence has been such a reality to me this last year. Webster's dictionary defines providence as:"the foreseeing care and guardianship of God over His creatures." As Christians we believe that God holds all things in the palm of His hand. We believe that Almighty God is the One who makes all things happen. In Isaiah 55:9 God reminds us that, "as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." God is so big, yet for some reason He chooses to allow us to take part in His plans. He uses willing bodies to carry out his purposes. What an honor!
I am very thankful that we cannot foresee the future. If we could see the difficulties that lie ahead it would be very hard sometimes not to choose a different path. But if we believe in God’s providence – that He works all things together for our good – we can rest in that and know we can persevere through whatever may come. He wants to build up and make us more like Him. Everything that He allows into our lives can move us toward that goal if we respond rightly. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
I recently passed my 15-year anniversary as secretary at His Way Ministries. It has been quite a ride so far! Looking back, if I had known all the twists and turns that would lie in those 15 years, I don't think I would have taken up the challenge. There have been times when I just wanted to run far away from the pain and difficulty. But by God's grace, I am thankful for recognition that the Holy Spirit was not releasing me from this ministry. I am thankful for the godly counsel given by many to hang on – to persevere.
During a dark time, a friend encouraged me to remember how much our Heavenly Father takes joy in the concept of redemption. It is not only in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross that God redeems us, but He also redeems difficult memories, relationships, and circumstances. Sometimes what might seem like devastating circumstances can turn out to be one of God's gifts to us. I am realizing how closely our perseverance is tied to God's providence in our lives. In order to allow God's providence to unfold we must persevere through any circumstance. We must make sure that we respond in a proper way. Nancy Leigh DeMoss says that, "true joy is not the result of having everything I want but of gratefully receiving exactly what God has given me." God gives me everything for a purpose, according to His providence – His divine direction.
The ministry has had some rough times over the last few years, with the last year being particularly difficult. There has been much loss and many changes. But at the same time it has been a year of tremendous healing and blessing. Life with the Lord is full of such paradox. We recently passed the one year anniversary of Fleta Robinson's Homegoing. Losing Fleta was so devastating to me. Words cannot express what this godly woman meant to me. Her love and daily input into my life contributed so much into making me who I am today. She was my best friend and I miss her.
In God's providence, with the loss of Fleta came the gain of
Peggy. When the Lord brought Chaplain and Peggy together,
I knew in my heart that it was from Him. Despite that, it was very difficult
for me in the beginning. It didn't take long though until I recognized that
not only was Peggy a tremendous gift to Chaplain and this ministry, she was
also a wonderful gift to me. I am so thankful for her and her friendship. It
was through her that the Lord has rebuilt the His Way team that allowed us
to get back on track. I am very encouraged and excited about all that is happening
here at Buffalo Ridge.
But God was not done. In His divine plan He had more in mind. I am forty years
old and have been contentedly and productively single for many years. However,
in the past six months something in me changed. I suddenly found myself really
struggling with being alone. My prayer became that the Lord would either help
me find that contentment again or provide me with a husband. I was not prepared
for such a quick, dramatic answer to that prayer!
David Green (featured in a recent newsletter)
joined the His Way Ministries team part-time in early September. After working
closely together for two months we were engaged on October 28, 2006. Chaplain
Jim Robinson will marry us on June 2, 2007. I am so thankful that God has brought
this wonderful godly man into my life! I did not know it was possible to be
this happy (or this distracted).☺ The love this man has for me is overwhelming.
Yet I know it is only a fraction of the Heavenly Father's love for us. How
good and faithful God is. I keep thinking about times these last few years
when things were so hard and I just wanted to bail out. If I had not persevered,
I would have missed this incredible gift from God. That is so very humbling.
As 2006 comes to a close it is a little difficult to comprehend the change
that has occurred the last twelve months. As we look forward to a new year,
we are full of anticipation of what God is doing, and will continue to do,
as we minister to pastors, missionaries, Christian workers and their families
here at Buffalo Ridge.
This Thanksgiving my heart is overflowing with thanks to God. How thankful I am for His divine direction in my life. How thankful I am for His provision. How thankful I am for all the wonderful people He has put in my life. I pray He gives me the ability to persevere in whatever lies ahead. I want nothing more than to be in the center of His will. It is only there that we can be all that He wants us to be.
David Green & Lauri Krentz will be married on June
2, 2007
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