"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
When you walk though fire you shall not be burned,
And the flame shall not consume you."
Isaiah 43:1-2

Yesterday we accidentally got caught up in an anti-American/anti-Israel protest when we were heading out to go shopping. It was a peaceful protest, but there were literally thousands of people walking the streets with huge signs protesting the issues in the middle east. I have to confess that I was a little nervous as I sat in the car with 7 other Americans...thankfully I was in the back with the boys, so I felt a little more safe. As I sat there trying to avoid eye contact, I was silently praying...and this passage came to my mind and really put me at ease.

Tonight I sat in my room and was considering the various struggles I have had since being here in Dar...and again, this passage came to my mind. I just got to thinking, no matter how many times we fail or succeed, laugh or cry, preach or keep quiet...no matter what, we who trust in Jesus' name are His. And whereas He does not promise to perserve our lives or that we will always be happy or that we will never go through hard times...He does promise that He will be with us. And I don't know about you, but for me, that makes everything far more bearable. Through the waters or through the fire...He's with us.

He has called us by name...we are His. His children.

Now, if I could just always remember that...life would be so much sweeter.