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Today I spilled milk all over the inside of my mother-in-law's fridge. I was horribly embarrassed. And what clever quip did she use as a reply?



 

"Well, you know what they say about spilled milk!"



Yes, that's right, I was crying over spilled milk. Not quite as meaningful as my recently discovered Kurdish idiom, but finding a use for an American one gave me some comfort of home. Apart from some brief Facebook interchanges, my main connection with home is an hour long skype chat with my family on Sundays. It's only an hour because it starts at 9:00 pm my time, and 2:00 pm their time. And this past Sunday, after only being gone a month, I had to have a conversation we'd all been dreading and praying against.



"I know you don't want to hear this, Dad, but it really can't be ignored. This Wednesday the UN is voting whether or not to make Palestine an official state member."



My Dad just walked me down the aisle a couple months ago, then hugged me good-bye as I left for my flight to the Middle East. Now as I saw him through my webcam, telling him about the UN vote, his solemn face cringed and nodded in understanding. My heart ached as I lacked a way to comfort my extremely protective but always supportive father.



As we talked about all the potential outcomes, (will Americans become the bad guys if the UN passes the vote, but Obama vetoes it?) the only small consolation I could offer my father was the same statement I keep hearing repeated in Jerusalem: we're in the eye of the storm. As a resident of Jerusalem, I am standing in the center of a tornado, a small bubble of protection while the raging storm swirls all around me. At least, this is what people are saying. Does this mean I have nothing to worry about? No. I can only pray that God's sovereignty in bringing me here will shield me with the same loving protection it always has. Does this mean nothing can happen in Jerusalem? No. But with holy sites for Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike in one location, it is difficult for one to hurt the other without suffering casualties. Palestinians have claimed statehood for years, but had nothing to back it up. Now, if the Arabs living in the very city are denied the respectable, official statehood at their fingertips by being allowed membership into the United Nations, what will they do?



Today is Wednesday. But God is always sovereign. I don't know what will happen. But I strive to live with the same grace and love, regardless. Please pray for us whether the winds thunder and rage, or whether my Lord says to those winds, "peace, be still."



"Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o'ershadow with blackness,
No shelter or help is nigh;
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will,
Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,
Or demons or men, or whatever it be
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, peace, be still!"



 

That's always been you're favorite hymn, Dad. Don't forget it, especially now. I love you.