I need You.

So this week I am at Bethel, continuing the language acquisition and learning how to say lots of fun stuff in Hebrew. We stay at Luther, and I am living solo this week in a humongous room on floor 2 of Stub Hall. I mentioned last post that I got to ride my mountain bike last week for the first time...turns out that ride was also the source of another first for the year -- my first poison ivy outbreak of '08. Seems like I have about one a year...starting Friday, I noticed a little red spot on my right leg. By Sunday it is a scar, and my right leg has a small spot. By last night, right leg is the size of my hand, left leg has gone from itchy to weepy and painful. Super fun...You would think after a few years, I would avoid this, but alas, the bike is worth it (I think). All of this -- living solo, the ivy, being away, reminds me of a significant event in my world.

It was 1994. I was living off campus in Cedar Falls, upstairs of an older woman named Ruth, with 2 great guys. My room was a lean-to corner of the apartment, small and drafty. I came back to school in August, and noticed a red spot on my left leg...soon a 2" scar that started to itch and burn and soon was a mess -- infection, swelling my entire leg up, and painful. I ended up in the emergency room, scared, and just wanting to go home. I vividly remember that night, lying in my bed on the floor, sick, tired, and in need. That night in late August was the first night I realized my need -- that I could not do this on my own. I had known Jesus, loved Him, and was following Him. But I had not truly given myself over to Him -- acknowledging my inability to handle life and circumstance without Him. Do not remember the prayer, but do remember asking Him to take this over -- my life, my health, my person, and that I wanted Him to be my reason for living. Live has been different ever since.

Sunday night, my leg is heading to that familiar place. I was reminded of so long ago...being away, being worried, really wanting the comforts of home, and being in a place where yet again He had to be my strength. Instead of fear, though, I felt peace. The comfort of Jesus makes itchy legs and miles away much more bearable.

May He be what meets your need today as well.