Joyeux January

Walking in the park

One of the strangest joys – at least to me, having lived half my life on a mountain which is nearly all brown and bare from November through March – of living in Tokyo is that something is always in bloom. On a bitter cold night, walking home from a late evening, we were stopped in out tracks by the sweet smell in the dark – winter sweet. Then, walking the dog in the afternoon, the plum trees are in full bloom amid a brisk wind and grey sky. I take it as a reminder that, even before the deadest of cold winter days, the buds of spring have already set. Spring will bloom again, in all the literal and metaphorical ways.

Dress up party!

Looking into this new year, I have to admit I’ve been wrestling with God on a number of points. One in particular. If it were up to me (which, thankfully, not much is), it seems that as humans begin a fragile step toward God, evidence a slight softening toward the concept of divine sovereignty, God would do well to rush at them with open arms. I secretly feel God would do well to reinforce the earliest prayers with quick answers, deepening the reliance and the trust. When God seems to be doing anything but – in fact, presenting dear friends with utterly bitter, impossible situations in their first moments of turning toward God – I get a little miffed. (Now, please don’t point fingers. Know that I’m trusting our relationship with some honesty here.) With reflection, I realize that, of course, God does rush, all prodigal, toward us with open arms - but not arms loaded with gifts and candy – he only offers himself (see Keller, The Prodigal God). Not a vending machine, exchanging token prayers for happy endings, but a rich, lively divine friend.

Successful student project based on Ryan's design

Of course, here I realize that what I thought was a seasonal but superficial introduction is actually the answer to my wrestling – these are the buds, this family, these humans, hearts newly set toward God in pleasant late summer, when things seemed manageable. Now it is winter. The buds will make it to spring. The winter will make them heartier, less prone to bugs. It feels long and cold. There are also blooms in the winter, though.

We are so grateful to be warm and healthy this winter! So much to be thankful for this second winter in our warmer, healthier house.

This season, we’ve been praying intensely for one young family, one relationship. For reconciliation, for restoration. Please join me if you will.

Our next open house is mid-February. Thanks for your prayers for our conversations and relationships.

Several of the praying moms have dreamed up a kids program. We’re doing a test run next month. Please join us on our knees for the moms and kids we will connect with! And for our own families as we take on another commitment.