The One who redeems, restores life, and sustains

“Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today...May he also be to you a restorer of life, and a sustainer of your old age...” (Ruth 4:14-15)

Ever felt like you don't know where to begin? That is how I feel as I attempt this long overdue update. So much has happened in the last three months and as I tried to determine how best to recap what the Lord has and is doing Jesus reminded me of this verse that I recently read in Ruth. While I realize this verse is referring to Boaz and Obed, it is also a foreshadowing of the ultimate kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Himself! I would like to share some of the events of the last three months under the three descriptions listed in this verse: the One who redeems, restores life and sustains.

Restorer of Life
At times living overseas is difficult and on May 17 I received news that made that ocean feel twice as big. My Dad had suffered a massive heart attack that should have taken his life. But the Lord was so merciful and RESTORED LIFE to him! We are so grateful and yet regardless of the outcome there is such comfort in knowing that we can trust the One who holds our tomorrows.

Just yesterday, a week after my return to Germany, I received the hard news that my sweet grandmother (my Dad's mom) had entered the presence of Jesus after a brief hospital visit. How my heart longs to celebrate her life lived for her Savior but it was not possible to return in time for the funeral. Yet I feel so grateful for her legacy. She was adopted into a Christian family at the age of 7 and spent her life in ministry to her family and others, traveling in retirement with my grandfather around the world to minister to others. But even though God did not restore her life here on this earth, because of His REDEMPTION, He has given her ultimate RESTORATION of LIFE! She is with Him in glory and I can't wait to spend eternity with her.

 

Sustainer
How grateful I am for the Lord's SUSTAINING grace for the end of a very full year here at BFA and for His SUSTAINING strength for an exhausting yet wonderful summer, celebrating my grandfather's 94^th birthday, lots of travel, hearing my Dad preach, seeing loved ones, speaking, taking an online summer class, helping my sister move, caring for my grandfather, etc. I am so grateful that the Lord allows me the privilege of just doing life with my family during the summer. I am rarely home when needs arise but this summer He allowed me the blessing of being able to help in different capacities and I am thankful for daily SUSTAINING strength!

Redeemer
I have seen His REDEEMING love as I received an email last week from one of my students who shared with me that she had set a goal to read the four Gospels this summer and had just completed John! My heart was so blessed as this sweet girl has returned to the States after a year here at BFA and will be missed. From the very first day the Lord had placed her on my heart and I continue to pray for her and all my students that they would come to fully know Him as their Redeemer.

As I begin my fifth year here at BFA and look ahead at a new school year with the many changes that inevitably come each year at BFA, I find myself as needy and dependent on Jesus as I was my first year. And you know what? I am grateful. I think we are supposed to live there even though it is hard! And YET with Naomi I want to declare that in the midst of the hardships and the losses that He is our REDEEMER, our RESTORER and our SUSTAINER and worth it all! What a mighty God we serve!