I feel like it was about this time a year ago that I started praying for my World Race team. It was something along the lines of, I pray that at the very least, if I end up on an all girl team, that I survive and tolerate it for the time we have together. But more so, I pray that somehow I’m able to love them well.
It’s interesting to take a moment to reflect on what I thought it might be like to be in community to this extent. It’s not at all the reality of what it is really like. I didn’t expect it to be so beautiful and painful. Beautiful because more than teammates, we’re friends and more than friends, we’re family. It is hard to fathom anything less at this point. And to think, we were but mere strangers just 6 months ago! I prayed that I would love well and saw that God showed me how to love using my team as a model. I’ve never felt so known and loved by people like this in my life. I’ve been shown that while trust is a scary thing for me, it was well worth the uncertainty for what I get to cherish now.
Painful because I’m going to miss this. The movie quotes, silly laughter over odd and irrelevant things, music for anything and everything, tears of both pure joy and utter sorrow, divine discoveries, unforgettable memories, unreal answered prayers and conversations that will remain with me forever. There are so many good things that I’ll miss.
I’m really excited for team changes and to see different forms of Christ’s body manifest. We serve a good God who knows us so very well—and I fully trust that where we end up is where he’s wanted us from the very beginning. This has always been a part of the Race when you think about how God’s bird’s eye view is far better than ours. I’ll never forget how I’ve been challenged and grown and loved and known. I’m also thrilled to bring it to more of our squad and see what God has for me doing life with others.
Change can be hard but I’ve accepted the invitation and the peace that has found rest in me. This isn’t the end, it’s a part of the journey God has us on. I love you guys more than a brownie a la mode after a long, hot day of manual labor with direct sunlight in Nicaragua. But really, words do no justice for the love God has put in my heart for you. Thank you for being an extension of His heart bringing part of heaven to this earth!
your sister,
Brittany
