Spring On!

Marlene writes, Spring has always been my favorite season. I’m sure that has something to do with growing up in Upstate New York and the long, cold, dark winters and, maybe, because I was born in the Spring. It represents new life to me. Fresh green grass, blossoming trees, and flowers peeking their tentative heads up out of the still cool earth. It represents hope. The long winter is soon to be behind us and the hope for warmth and sunshine renews our minds and reminds us that things are changing. Many times I have found myself, as well as other missionaries’ hearts, longing for “Spring”. We may have been in a “dark” season, one that felt long and sometimes cold. Feelings of “no-one understands, no-one really cares, or, maybe I just need to quit”. We’ve probably all felt some of this at one time or another in our lives. As a counselor I, of course, become concerned if someone’s “winter” lasts too long. That’s another blog (and if you’re feeling that. Please feel free to contact me J ). I’m talking about the, “I need something new to happen in me”! That’s what I love about my God! Spring always follows Winter! It might look different every year and depending on where we live, but Spring always comes.

The flowers do bloom again and the grass turns green and the buds pop out. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 has always been a favorite of mine. It reminds us that nothing is permanent! The sun will shine again! That was never more real to me than the last 3 years and the many losses my family experienced. To lose my parents and two siblings in 22 months made for some dark days! Some days I felt like the sunshine of my soul could not possibly ever shine again. But, slowly but surely, it did. Like little blossoms, I saw glimpses of Spring in my soul. And, as I write this, we’re waiting to hear from our daughter who is getting very close to bringing a new life into the world. New life follows death. Spring follows Winter. Day follows night. And, even after the very worst of storms, the sun does shine again. Do you need a “Spring”? A fresh touch from God? He tells us in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”! Wow, step out of Winter and into Spring. Leave the darkness and open your eyes to the light! Can’t you just feel the sun on your face as He does something new? If you have to walk away from your surroundings for a bit to find the sun, walk on! Seek Him in a time of Sabbath Rest and ask Him, then allow Him, to do a new thing! Revelation 21:5 “Behold, I make ALL things new…these words are true and faithful”! He is waiting to Renew YOU. To make you new! Leave Winter behind and get your Spring on!

We have traveled this Spring to Kenya, Africa during March 7 -21. Many of you prayed for us as we made this journey and your prayers helped us to bring some “Spring” to our great team of missio

naries serving Christ in Nairobi, Nakuru and Tenwek. We met individually with each missionary unit and had wonderful times of encouragement and prayer together. One of the highlights on March 13 was having a corporate prayer meeting and devotional time. At the conclusion of our service, the missionaries blessed Ned by celebrating his birthday there in Kenya. This makes the fourth continent that Ned has celebrated his birthday on. Who would have ever thought a kid from the Hocking Hills of SE Ohio would be serving the Lord around the world. Thank you to each and every one of you who make our ministry possible. God reminds us regularly through your faithfulness in giving and praying that He is our provider, our portion, our strong tower and He is that for you as well.

May the Lord Bless you greatly as you Spring ahead in serving Him.

Ned and Marlene McGrady

World Gospel Mission Box 948 Marion, IN 46952 765-671-7240

www.wgm.org/mcgrady  for info on our ministry