In the early years of their marriage, the Lord God had made it possible for the Swallow and her mate to possess a nest big enough to house a couple of young ones, the extended family from Malaysia, and any other short-termed guests. With such a blessing from their Lord, the Swallow and her mate were keen to open up their nest whenever they were called upon to do so. They did not hesitate to comply as the Word of God also encourages one to be hospitable.
1 Peter 4 : 9 (NKJV)
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
2 Corinthians 9 : 7 (NKJV)
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
A couple of years back, an opportunity to be hospitable to a near relative for a short time landed at the Swallow's doorstep. Besides wanting to please her Lord God by obeying His commandments and pleasing her mate along the way, notice had also been given that it would only be a short stay as the near relative was going to buy his own house within a few months.
Starting off in the race called "The Art of Hospitality", the Swallow was glad to serve her Lord God with the talents that He had given to her. Making arrangements to accommodate the near relative such as preparing the nest adequately and preparing her young ones for the addition were tasks she was happy to do.
For a bachelor to stay with a family, adjustments had to be made by both parties as there would bound to be lifestyle differences. To maintain peace and to avoid conflicts, differences need to be sorted through and communicated with each other. So if any lifestyle differences appeared, she would mention them to the near relative, and adjustments would then be made to accommodate each other. Peace would be restored. What could be more difficult?
Then the near relative moved in.
Indeed, there were plenty of adjustments to be made. The extra room which was set aside as a guest room for extended family members from Malaysia was off-limits for the duration. The furniture in the nest was rearranged to accommodate the near relative. A schedule for the use of the washing machine and laundry area had to be arranged. Provision of meals had to be worked out. So on, so forth.
Towards the end of the duration, he mentioned that he was unable to start looking for his own house yet, and he needed to stay for another few months. "Sure, the Lord has seen us through those months, He will definitely see us through another few months.", the Swallow thought.
More and more differences appeared. She was humbled to realize that she was not as easy-going as she thought she was. Minor differences slowly became an issue with her. However, she quickly sought her Lord for help to overcome her sinful self, and her selfish desires to want things done in her own way. For issues that truly meant a lot to her, she poured out her anguish to her Lord in prayer, seeking wisdom from Him before communicating with her mate to avoid putting him in a tight spot. The Lord was good and faithful! He helped her, again, through the next few months.
But the call came again, and again, and again...he needed to stay for another few months, and another, and another...the race called "The Art of Hospitality" slowly became arduous...impatience with the Lord's timing seeped in...Lord, how long more? Bitterness, self-pity, a loss of zeal and lethargy also set in...where was the joy of the Lord?
"Lord, help me please! You are faithful, and I am faithless. I feel overwhelmed in these trials I am going through. I know I must not be selfish with the things You have blessed me with, but it is so difficult to hold these things in open palms. Lord, help me to trust You to see me through, to trust You for Your good timing. Not mine. You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me, and You have always kept Your promises. I know I am not alone in this trial. The Lord Jesus has been there before. He will help me to face this cross just as He faced His cross, the cross which sinful men had placed on His shoulders. I'm sorry, Lord, for trying to be in control. You are the Sovereign Lord, the Only One who should be in control. Not me." These were constant cries made throughout the two years.
For each time she put self on the throne of her heart, there was anguish, but for each time she sought the Lord, in prayer or through the reading of His Word, and placed Him on the throne of her heart, she was refreshed. It became a cycle of impatience and trust.
The near relative has finally found his own home. The nest is back to normal. Looking back, the Swallow is grateful for the Lord God's provision of strength to hold on, to press on, to continue in the race and not to give up. Though she tripped many times in the race that was set before her, He lifted her up again and again, never giving up on her.
The Lord God had never failed her, and He will never ever fail her. His ways are not her ways. Testing and trials are not without pain or anguish, but they are allowed to beset the Swallow so that she can be transformed to be more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ, who had His own cross to face and bear. As He had provided the Lord Jesus Christ with a Simon of Cyrene to help bear the cross along the Via Dolorosa, He had always provided the Swallow with a few 'Simon of Cyrene' during those difficult days. May His name be praised!
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