Love Traveling

My supervisors are headed back to the States for 7 months at the end of July, which leaves me to “hold down the fort” at the guest house. I’ve known this since day one that I got here, but as I look to the calendar as see how their time to leaving is quickly approaching, and yet there is so much to learn, to do…
I think I am ready (by His grace alone) to start this 7 month long trek, even though the “what if’s” are still looming over my head. There is so much that goes on to make this guest house run logistically, not to mention the time I want to invest in the people that come- whether just passing through or here to stay for awhile- to hear their stories, to pray with/for them and hope they are rested and encouraged as they go on there way.

It’s amazing the refinement that goes on in the waiting period. I’m so thankful for the waiting period (this one and in the past) as I say with David “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” (Psalm 39:4). It is my desire to take every thought and feeling captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), and so waiting has a way of fleshing out those fears and showing things that are hidden and bringing it to light. I am so thankful for perspective.

I found this poem, “Love Traveling” by Amy Carmichael in her book “Toward Jerusalem.” When I read it for the first time this week, I literally sighed because it identifies what my heart feels/saying. Below is the poem with my random musings of each line.

Love Traveling (in italics) by Amy Carmichael

Love, traveling in the greatness of His strength,

It reminds me of the Jon Foreman song “Your Love is Strong.”

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

Thank you Father for this promise.

Found me alone,

I am not alone, though sometimes I feel like it. The enemy tells me I am and tries to tempt me to despair. The truth is I am never alone. The Father, Son and Spirit- all in one- come to my aid when I am lacking and/or in need. “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

And not only that, but I have dear, precious friends that remind me of that truth, when it is difficult to see clearly. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer states in “Life Together”: The Chr*stain needs another Chr*stain who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation. He needs his brother solely because of Jesus Chr*st.”

Wearied a little by the journey’s length,

I must confess that I am weary, even before I begin my 7 month long trek. I know I will be challenged to my limits physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, as well as challenged in my character- how I respond in stressful situations. But I know the Word says “do not grow weary of doing good.” (2 Thes. 3:13). And this will give opportunity to depend on Him on a whole new level!

Though I had known,

I know the truth…it’s just sometimes difficult to transfer it 8 inches from my brain to my heart. That is why I am in the ministry of reminding- to myself and others-Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.  I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder” (2 Peter 1:12-13)

All the long way, many a kindly air,

All the way my Savior leads me…and more times than not He is beckoning me to lie in green pastures and beside still waters for the sole purpose of restoring my soul. So many times I feel like I have to do, do, do and really all that needs to happen is to abide and drink deep His rivers of delights (Psalm 36:8)

And flowers had blossomed for me everywhere.

I have a Father that loves to give good gifts. So whether it’s a red bird, a text, an e-mail, a package, a beautiful sunset or morsels from His Word, He always leaves fingerprints all over the place as way of reminders of His love which He lavishes on me.

And yet Love found me fearful, and He stayed;

I think this is the point in the poem that I teared up the first time that I read this. Even though I am fearful at the unknown, at irrational, petty things, He doesn’t turn me away when I cry out to him. He is merciful and compassionate and patient beyond belief.



Love stayed by me.

“They confronted and came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay and support.” Psalm 18:18

I am overwhelmed by His pursual on my life; that He doesn’t give up on me but has the promise that “He who began a good work in me will perfect it (Phil 1:6)” until He returns.


“Let not thy heart be troubled or dismayed,

Once again, I don’t ever have to despair, because He is with me, so I will not fear. Easier said than done, but if I truly believed it in my heart of hearts, then that truth would radically change my outlook and how I approach any and every situation as I walk in victory.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
“For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” Isaiah 43:2-3


My child,” said He.

Those two words are so freeing in themselves. I am His child- the Creator of the whole universe. He is for me and not against me. He is worth my life.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” 1 John 3:1


Slipped from me then all troubles, all alarms;

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

When my focus is fixed on Him and His glory and centered on the eternal perspective, how easily lesser things slip away from my sight!


For Love had gathered me into His arms.

 And this is the best place to be- in His arms. It reminds me of Mandi Mapes song “In Your Arms” that I usually have on repeat.

A prayer I wrote out not too long ago: “God, you know my needs and my wants. They are plain to you and I ask You to provide for them. But Lord, I love you so much that this is my ultimate prayer: Let my life be used to show the greatness and goodness of my God and His eternal love no matter what I face. Above all, I pray for the glory of Jesus’ name.”