During a particularly busy season, Jesus encouraged His disciples to come aside and rest a while (Mark 6:31).

Last week was a busy week and after our Monday meeting I could tell that the rest of our time here was going to fly! At this point the Lord was a very present help, reminding me to reprioritize and rest in Him. As I learn this lesson, I find how much more free He is to work in His miraculous ways.

It was Friday evening. We had just enjoyed a great game of ultimate frisbee but my foot had undergone a slight sprain. While the others planned a shopping trip, I wondered what I should do for the evening. Just then I remembered some emails that needed written, some of them before the next day, and was tempted to grumble. Instead the Lord encouraged me to read the Bible for the evening and let Him arrange the circumstances. In this frame of mind I enjoyed both Bible-reading and having supper.

Then at 7:00 I was prompted to call Dr. Chen in Taipei to see when a meeting with him would work out. I reached him, and to my surprise he said that the next day, Saturday, was one of his free days. That would free up the following weeks for some other things that were coming up for both of us. The only catch was that there were others I wanted to invite as well who I knew would want to meet Dr. Chen and I hardly had any idea what their schedules were like for the weekend. Nevertheless, we agreed to pray for a miracle and get back with each other at 7:30.

As the minutes ticked by I was able to reach all but one of my contacts. Then Dr. Chen reported that his schedule was indeed free. By 8:00 plans were being finalized not only for the people that I had invited but friends of their own whom they wanted to invite for the outing. This was particularly remarkable since the phone number for the family that I know best had not worked before. This time it had worked and I marveled at their eagerness to come. (One of their children had been through the school here and they were also familiar with the Basic Seminar, attending for the first time in Vancouver this past summer. Though we see each other every Sunday, time together at a nature park provided a welcome chance to meet during the week.)

Before turning in I took a walk to work out the foot sprain, still not knowing exactly what the next day would hold. As it turned out, things could hardly have gone better. A miracle was truly completed . . .

Saturday morning dawned with beautiful skies and mild temperatures. My foot felt perfectly well and at 9:00 thirteen of us were gathering at Guandu Nature Park for a time of enjoying God’s creation on the coast northwest of Taipei. Two new species this time were the Northern Shoveler and Nutmeg Mannikin. (Winter is as rewarding for birdwatchers as summer here in Taiwan.) Towards noon, we came across a pavilion. It was the perfect setting for sharing introductions and fellowship and by the end of our time I felt I had been able to get to know my dear brothers and sisters in Christ much better.

The day wasn’t over though. In the afternoon, Joyce (who knew Mom in the States), her co-worker, and her sister’s family invited me to have lunch with them at an Italian restaurant and later insisted on purchasing me a Chinese Bible. It included both Old and New Testaments as well as pronunciation for the Chinese characters. It is an invaluable treasure, something I will use for years to come and an unexpected “Christmas present”. What a surprise.

As before, my efforts to bless and encourage others seemed to leave me being the one encouraged and strengthened. May we never underestimate the value of retreating together and “resting a while”.