If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that the future both thrills and terrifies me at the same time.
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(Aside re. photo: this is a near-perfect way to drink coffee… we learned how to do it from a waitress in Cairns, Australia back in 2003)
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What thrills me?

We’re at an awesome point in life:

• This Canadian family gets to live in France.
• We have no mortgage, no car loan & no debt.
• We do have our health (although I could be a few pounds lighter!).
• We’re in the will of God for our life… involved in growing the church in Western France.

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What scares me?

The unknown aspects of the future:

• We live in a culture that is foreign to us (even to Liz).
  Speaking the language and being a “cultural insider” are not one and the same.
• We don’t know exactly how long we will be here.
• Dominic needs (& wants) braces & in our 40’s, retirement planning pressure is a consideration.
• Our income is not what it would be in a “traditional” employment situation.
• We sometimes wonder if “the plan” will work out.

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Do I have the answers?

No. Though I like to have things fairly well mapped out. I like to see “Plan A”, and have contingency plans “B” and “C” in case “A” doesn’t happen quite as planned. Right now though, there are too many variables.
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How am I not in full blown panic mode?

Oh…. there are days when I come close, but ultimately, where my vision is limited, God sees the big picture (Isaiah 46.9-11)…

⁹ I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring (& orchestrating) the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: ¹¹ … I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

As a result… Jesus gives me peace…

He told his disciples (John 14.27)… “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“

When we accept to search out, and endeavor to be in, God’s will to the best of our ability, then he is free and eager to step in with his ability where ours falls short.

If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I appreciate your willingness to listen. Sometimes I just need to get things out of my head. Often, when I say them out loud… the answers seem clear, but I need to sit down & talk it OUT rather than continually running it OVER (and over, and over…) in my head.

Finally… If we were having coffee… I’d also be glad to hear what’s filling your head (and your days). There are things about your life that are an example to me and I’m glad to learn from you.

Man!  I’m looking forward to coffee together some time!