Shedding

Well, they're off. This morning, about 9:30am, the team and families gathered in the church parking lot to pack up the vehicles and begin the journey. Most of the packing of suitcases had been done, all preparations made, and the excitement had already built to a new level.



God saw fit to bless us with a slow but very steady rain - it was refreshing. All assigned vehicles had each nook and cranny stuffed with some suitcase, duffel bag or carryon... One last huddle, by the church door (sheltered from the rain) for prayer. David led us, calling on God to 'show His mercy'. THAT's what this trip is about - knowing and showing the mercy of God.

One by one, team members ran out to vehicles, trying to not get wet. My father in law handed me a handful of pink yarn - something they use to tie on suitcases / duffel bags to better distinguish them. He said that he was told to give this to me. When he asked what it was, my reply was... "shedding". This is something you do when you have physically, mentally and spiritually prepared all you can - you simply shed. Whatever is not needed for the task - whether it be yarn, families, friends, homes, jobs. We can count on Him to supply whatever is needed for this journey, because He has proven Himself faithful to us in the past.

So, in honor of this journey (now in progress), let's all shed. Whatever is 'extra', whatever is not needed for the tasks WE are called to carry out. Gear up and GO!

Shedding - Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Chuck Ledford