Encouragement of Epaphroditus

At this point in my journey God has been so very clear as to this specific journey to Papua New Guinea. Confirmations have come by selling my house in 5 days in a market that has been run to the ground. God has shown me through His Word. God has blessed me with friends who have offered encouragement for when I told them of this plan God had for me they had 2 words "yes and amen!". I have been blessed to have 2 churches who have loved me including: The Summit Church in North Little Rock and First Baptist Church in Camden, AR. I have been blessed with the support of my co-workers/friends of UAMS and even my patients have been an encouragement as they ask how they can keep in touch while I am away. WOW! One Word: BLESSED!

But as I continue I know my journey will not stop here and God has already begun to show me plans for his next journey. A friend at church heard my God story and he wanted me to know how Biblical each and every step of encouraging a missionary truly was. He mentioned the story of Epaphroditus. This man was used to encourage Paul while he was learning what it was to be "content in any and all circumstances, whether well fed or hungry...". Epaphroditus and the Philippians encouraged him throughout his many journeys. Paul said of them, "The gifts you sent are a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God". (Phil 4:18)

To think that God might allow me to be a part of any sort of sweet aroma for His Name is beyond me. For I have done nothing in and of myself to deserve such a sweet chore. And I know the only thing that is good in me is Jesus (insert song here). Once again I have been encouraged that the love of Jesus Christ can be shown in many forms and this time He,Jesus Christ, chose to allow an ordinary girl, who as a youngster wanted nothing to do with the mission field, to be an encourager to foreign missionaries who have given their lives to serve the One True God.