“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
Today is the day that Labor Day is celebrated here in the U.S. with big sales, end of summer events and a long weekend for those laboring in the work force. All will celebrate be they employed, unemployed or retired. Today is the first Monday of this new month and donors with Trinity/HOPE set aside a time of prayer for the children and feeding programs in Haiti at 10 AM today. There is a lot to pray for today in this world; aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, saber rattling in North Korea and a call for uniting of our country amid people hungry to take sides and point fingers at each other while accomplishing nothing. I ask that you please focus a time of prayer for our feeding programs in Haiti as this is the first day of school for the new school year and satan has brought several distractions. Unusual tremors in and around Leogand were felt in eastern Haiti and Hurricane Irma still searches for a track that will bring destruction to wherever she makes landfall and the vodou priest tells Haitian parents to keep their children home as there will be no school and no food today; stay home! May our Heavenly Father draw you and Haiti close to His arms and assure us that we are never alone; be still and know that He is with us. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘Go my children with my blessing’ that were written by Jaroslav Vajda (April 28, 1919 – May 10, 2008).
“Go, My children, with My blessing, never alone. Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are My own. In My love's baptismal river I have made you Mine forever. Go, My children, with My blessing, You are My own. Go, My children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure. Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure. Here you heard My dear Son's story; here you touched Him, saw His glory. Go, My children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure. Go, My children, fed and nourished, closer to Me. Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free. Here My Spirit's power filled you; here His tender comfort stilled you. Go, My children, fed and nourished, joyful and free. I the Lord will bless and keep you and give you peace. I the Lord will smile upon you and give you peace. I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother. Go, My Children, I will keep you and give you peace.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay