This month we celebrated our 25th Anniversary! (Yes, we are that old. See all those wrinkles not photo-shopped out?)
We spent a wonderful day-date eating great food and walking to a park to see the cherry blossoms. It was a touristy thing to do so it felt like a day off. We were refreshed to get out in the breezy spring air and walk hand in hand, enjoying the cascade of pink blooms overhead.
This month we also celebrated 22 years of being missionaries with OMF to Japan. And through our flower-outing, God did some refreshing of His call on our lives as well.
Along with all the throngs of Japanese around us, we had to walk in past a Buddhist temple to get to the park to see the cherry blossoms. Many of the Japanese stopped to offer prayers for health and protection.
We couldn't help but notice the many little wood prayer cards hung as they jangled in the wind. People had written prayers asking for the blessings of good grades, close friends or a promotion at work.
With hopes of future providence, many people stood in line to buy a good fortune written out by the Buddhist priest.
Our hearts were turned from the joy of a fun day out together, to sadness. We soberly looked around at the Japanese around us. We were reminded why we have spent most of our married life in Japan. We were reminded why, as a couple, God has called us to live daily lives of light in this land of darkness. Our hearts broke for the empty eyes around us that were searching for more than beauty that day. They were pilgrimaging for hope and peace. But they would go home empty with no answers to their prayers.
We knew as a couple that God had a call on us before we ever said "I do" at the alter. He was sending us to this beautiful island filled with pink blossoms. To a beautiful, searching people to share that He is the only God who can bless and help. To share that He is the only God who hears and answers.
"You are my God and I will give you thanks...
We will proclaim what the Lord has done."
Psalms 118:29,17
