He searches our hearts

        After 8 weeks of language study things have started to fall into a rhythm here.  Each week I work on logging 30 hours in Albanian and getting to know people through it.  At the same time every week here brings something different, like the following: ID card application process, house-sitting, girl's group, visits, camp projects, and hosting people.  This past week we hosted a very sweet family for 4 days.  Even though we met them as strangers, we say "good-bye" as friends.  It was a great time together.  I am not sure which way the Father with direct them for their future work, but I am very thankful for the time we spent together.  It is amazing how sometimes there is an immediate connect with people you meet.  Knowing that one day in heaven we will all be together makes the "good-byes" a little easier.  Because it is really just a "see you later."
        Tonight is our evening fellowship gathering, we discussed the story of the Pharisee and tax collector that went to the temple to pr/y.  One saw how desperate his need was and went home right with the Father.  While another one tried to earn God's favor and did not.  It reminded me of some reading I have been doing in Jeremiah about how our Father looks at our hearts.  He does not care so much about the outward works if our hearts are not in the right place.  Our hearts must acknowledge the reality of our desperate need before God.  Without that, we will go on going through meaningless actions and missing the purpose of it all. 
        The reminder of our desperate need for His grace is refreshing and encouraging.  It means the work we do is not dependent or sustained by us.  It flows from Him.  Anything of lasting value happens because God supplies, enables, empowers, and sustains it.  We are just the hands or feet that He chooses to use.  The container has no lasting value on its own.  It is our Father who gives it value and graciously uses it.  I am thankful for this gracious and loving Father who will work out His plans for His glory in His timing. He is amazing.