Last week I compared my excitement for the race to a kid being picked up from preschool. A friend asked me if I wanted to leave for a year because I wasn’t enjoying my life. I explained that I could be having the best or worst time of my life, but if I catch a glimpse of Jesus with His arms open wide calling me to follow him, you’d better bet I’m dropping everything around me. A toddler can be eating cookies and watching Bob the Builder in his favorite hat, but- as soon as mom shows up at the door, he forgets about all of the fun and runs in to her arms. The love of a parent and for a parent is unconditional and unmatched. I hope my desire to be with and follow Him grows even more during this trip. I pray He gives me the strength and courage to take on the challenges I am going to face. I want to continue to run to Him through every curve ball life throws my way.
Being around kids has always reminded me of my relationship with Jesus. His patience, forgiveness, and pure desire to watch me grow and learn is similar to any parents. Our God knows what is best for us and wants to give it to us. I struggle with this just as much as the next person. I wish we would all rely and trust in His plan more than we do in what we think we want/need out of this life. Easier said than done, I know!
Props to the parents out there; you all have it rough. Always putting yourself last, your kids first, taking swings at every turn and still powering through. As rewarding an experience as raising children may be, when I watch the daily sacrifice and strength it takes, I am reminded of why everyone is not as pretty a parent as the next. It’s the dirty, exhausted, hot messes out there that are doing it best! The parents praying in the middle of the grocery store isle for their two year old to stop throwing out everything they are putting in their cart. The mom strapping her four year old into a car seat she had to buy with her gas/electric bill money while he screams and spits in her face. The parents serving at church every service hoping their kids can make it through the same Sunday school message four times. The parents relying on hope, truth & grace to prevent them from completely breaking down in the midst of another family crisis. At the end of the day- the love is still there. After crying behind closed doors, wiping your tears and putting a smile on your face like everything is alright. No matter how hard it gets, how far one strays, or how much pain is caused, the love is still there. These parents are being the rock for their kids that our Savior is to us.
Parents inspire me.
There’s nowhere else you can get that kind of strength, trust, and love.
I am so excited about the next year of my life.
I am also very nervous, but God gives me strength & I trust in Him.
The nerves will have to eat dirt. : )
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7
