“I’m still in Houston. My flight got messed up.” I read this
text from my mom when we were halfway to Guatemala from Honduras on our 16 hour
bus ride. I saw a picture of all the other parents at the airport together and
thought ‘what if she doesn’t make it in time?!’ So when we walked quietly to
the back of the hotel to surprise our parents I was beyond ecstatic when my
arms were wrapped around her small petite frame. My momma’s scent brought such
comfort. Seeing tears roll down her cheeks as we aggressively embraced one
another was just how I had pictured it. She got to the hotel 10 minutes before
we arrived!
The first night we stayed up talking for hours. I’d share my
heart on things, while she’d listen and share some words of perspective and
encouragement, and then we’d switch.
For weeks I had been praying for this time with my mom. All
week racers and parents kept telling me how much they loved my sweet mom.
‘She’s so precious. She’s so funny. She’s so sweet. I love your mom.’ I’d hear
over and over. Every time I’d hear it my heart softened as I realized more and
more how blessed I am to be her daughter.
I love my mom and am so thankful for her. I grew up hearing
‘Honey, I’m sooo proud of you. I love you sooo much’ almost every day. She has
loved me hard and well. I know my worth because she has always made me such apriority. We have always been close, sharing our hearts, fears, insecurities,
and dreams with one another. She was vulnerable with me early on growing up
which showed me that she is a real person, a woman with feelings, hurts, and
joys, AS WELL as my mother.
This past week with her was such a joy and refreshing to my
soul.
As I watched the sun rise on the plane from Atlanta to Miami
on the way to Honduras, I heard God saying ‘This is a new start, a fresh
beginning.’ The next day I stepped down from leadership and two new (great)
guys were added to our team. Change happened. I am thankful that the Lord
prepared me for this time of being. For a few months now I have had the desire
to step down and just be. I get to be His and experience complete rest the next
three months.
Being with my mom confirmed a new season, a fresh start. She
lit up playing with neighborhood children, she felt for the families we prayed
for at the city dump. She became alive doing what she was created for and
everyone noticed it. ‘Your mom is in her element!’ ‘Maxine, are you gonna quit
your job and do missions?’ I heard people say over and over.
The wonderful week came to a halting end around the fire the
night before we left. As my mom was praying I began to feel the Holy Spirit
fall hard. She was praying word for word things that I had been praying on her
behalf for weeks! The Holy Spirit was doing His thing and bringing me to my
knees in awe of His great power! I
began to sob as I thought of how immensely blessed I am and how He lavishes His
love on us.
He gives us the desires of our hearts. He brings change that
we cannot. He answers prayer! Really! The things you question, wonder, hurt
over, doubt, dream about, those things He cares about. Bring them to Him and He
will do crazy things with them! He will blow your mind!
I’m gonna start praying some really BIG, crazy ones that
don’t make sense! Join me.
