I love grandparents. When they speak, they speak from a place of experience, from real life – not from a theory. John Tan shared that he and the others are like battle-scarred Christians. They live to share the testimony of what the Lord has done!
As Uncle Perry was speaking yesterday, I felt the Lord highlight one of the keys to Patient Endurance: Scripture. All throughout Perry & Catherine’s life there have been trials and testing:
- They were new immigrants to Canada with 2 young boys
- Within the first 6 months, Perry worked 5 different jobs
- Worked in a time where the world was evident in racism
- Started his own business
- An elder during a very painful church split
- Became a pastor after the church split
- Assigned a mentor over the worst intern (me!)
- Help start a 2nd church (MLCF)
- A grandparent of 12
In all these things, in everything in between, before, and after… Perry & Catherine patiently endured every situation and came out stronger, better, closer to God.
So what is the Kingdom Key to facing the trials and storms in life? The word of God deep within. A man and woman whose lives are shaped by the Scripture.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26
Perry & Catherine have always been people who know and love the Scripture. They meditate on it, study it, and put it in the mind in hopes it gets to the heart. As the storms of life came against them – the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) goes deep into their lives and reminds them of the promises that the Lord has spoken. And by faith, they put their trust in the Lord, and because of His faithfulness, He always comes through.
Perry & Catherine have testified of the goodness of God. They speak the Scriptures not as a good to know, but as a truth that we desperately need to hide in our own lives. The secret to patiently enduring the storms of life? Scripture. The word of God, recalled by the power of the Holy Spirit is what will overcome the worries and deceitfulness of this world.
May we, the LifeSpring Family, take a lesson from Perry & Catherine. Put the Scripture into our minds and hopefully our heart. Give the Holy Spirit ammunition to aid us in our journey of Patient Endurance.
We love you Perry & Catherine – thank you for your wisdom.