This is a question I probably ask every day. Whether I’m in the store and can’t find exactly what I want…or at my computer trying to accomplish something and the internet is slow…or trying to reach something on a shelf that may as well be Mount Everest (btw, at 5’1” this happens regularly)… or stuck in traffic because of construction. It seems the faster I try to accomplish something, the more difficult it becomes. I get so frustrated over the little things that just don’t go my way. Francesca Battistelli’s song “This is the Stuff”, describes it perfectly. I like the line, “in the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I’m blessed.” How true!! In the little whirlwind of a mess that surrounds me daily, it is so easy to only focus on ME, and not notice what is going on around me! And once I take the focus of little ‘ol me, it’s easier to see that the little things in life that drive me crazy, are actually for my good.
Sometimes the things in life that are hardest are in fact the most worthwhile. A couple weeks ago, I did a Prison Break run. I had a blast doing it, but when I really think about it, “Why is it I am so willing to spend money on something that is potentially- difficult?” It is the sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering the LONG set of monkey bars, climbing a rope, pulling myself over the half-pipe, crawling through lots of mud, and bearing the frigid temperatures of the river. In different parts of the run, we also had to careful that the ‘Prison Guards’ didn’t take our flags and send us back to the mud pit prison. The sense of accomplishment is stronger when we have to work and struggle for it. And we have to constantly be on guard, to guard our hearts from the distractions of life that so easily take our attention.
It is the things we have to work for that are so worthwhile. This was never meant to be easy… when it becomes too easy, then we become lazy!
And this brings me to training camp. Now I went into this thinking it was gonna be a fun, chill week of getting to know my squad and hanging out… little did I know what Jesus had in store for me! From the moment I arrived at camp, with the rain soaking the red Georgia dirt, till the day I left, God was challenging me at so many different levels.
The first few days were full of hard stuff- forgiveness, grieving the past, emotional healing, and really learning about me as a person. This stuff is HARD…it’s not fun! But once I realized who I really am in Christ, it helped me move forward in confidence into new friendships with my squad (my family for the next year!!:)) and not compare myself with others. I listened in awe as Rob, our talented speaker, talked about miracles as if they are everyday happenings… and they should be. And the thing that struck me most was “most Christians don’t realize the power we hold. Even the newest, baby Christian has the power of Christ to do Miracles!!!” Why is this so hard to grasp? We have POWER!!! (ok… so I realize that was a bit of a bunny trail, but…)
And just a few other HARD, AwEsOmE things I enjoyed about training camp:
- Worshipping like no one is watching (“You make me brave, you call me out beyond the shore into the waves”)
- Letting loose on the dance floor
- Winning squad wars
- Fridgid bucket showers (ok… maybe not awesome… but I am more thankful for my warm shower!!)
- Different sleeping arrangements!!:0 (Let’s just say- it’s a good thing I can sleep anywhere!!)
- holy laughter
- Exercise at 7 AM (yikes!)
- AND… coming home with no voice!! (Blame that on squad wars!)
A truly awesome week- and now with much excitement I look forward to launching for this mission on September 5-6!
And the biggest thing I learned at training camp…. Even though this life will never be easy….You will NEVER regret giving 110% of yourself!!
