April 24, 2024

Usually sometime late in the evening Cathi will ask, “Any news today?” I can be an information junkie, but where do I begin? Israel vs. Hamas? Israel vs. Iran? Ukraine vs. Russia? Tigers? NFL Draft? Biden vs. Trump? Trump’s trial #1, #2, #3, #4, Ukraine aid bill, Speaker Johnson’s survival rate in House?, the Buckeyes awesome recruiting season? (she probably doesn’t care about that one), the weather?, the economy?, protests on university campuses?, the earthquake in Taiwan?, the tragic death of 2 brothers in Monroe at a birthday party? The options seem endless and each one could take hours. I usually pause before I try to answer, not because I don’t have anything to say, but because there seems to be too much to say. So much of it feels so weighty and fragile at the same time. I wonder if the world is spinning faster to the point where pieces start flying off. I get weary with all of the wars and rumors of wars, the storms and natural disasters, the tragedies and news of who said what or did what.

This morning I received an email from one of our missionaries. It had pictures, information and updates from a portion of the world that is not on any of the newsfeeds I generally check. It was so timely for my soul as I was reminded of how God continues to carry out his plan in this world by reaching people with the gospel, and building his church. I heard about gospel growth, faithfulness, love, and other aspects of meaningful ministry. I read about people who are investing their lives in what really matters. What a blessing to be reminded of the fact that “from everlasting to everlasting, you are God!”

So, when Cathi asks me tonight if there is any news, I plan to update her about Seth and Darla and the traction they are getting in Lubumbashi, Congo and if the Tigers win, I may throw that in too.

Grace and peace,

Bob