// subject to change //
These three words…
They are three words that describe the inevitable reality of this life we are living.
Strung together, reminding us that change is all around.
Yet…
These three words can really pack quite the punch.
I was recently confronted by these three words.
// subject to change //
I know that there is change all around.
It is something that impacts us internally and externally on a daily basis.
The changes we face are big and little.
For Heaven sakes, God is in the business of change.
Changing hearts and changing lives.
LIFE is
subject to change
An accident blocks the highway, and my route to work must be changed.
My friend gets sick and cancels our coffee date, and my schedule is changed.
The changes in the moon impact my students, and my planned lesson must be changed.
The menu at Chick-fil-A changes, and I choose to change my usual meal to try something new.
I get frustrated with a family member over some silly little thing, which leaves me feeling like crap, and I choose to change my attitude and forgive because I do not like how I am feeling.
God calls me to Him, and I change my beliefs, which changes my eternity.
God calls me to something different, and I change my plan.
An experience filled with love, the Holy Spirit, and a feeling I cannot adequately put into words, touches my heart, and my relationship with Jesus changes.
Sometimes changes that happen in life are beyond our control.
Sometimes we can make choices to change things in our lives.
In thinking about change, I actually can’t imagine what life would be like without it.
I do not think it would be as beautiful. I think change brings beauty to our world.
I do, however, know that processing and confronting change can be very difficult.
I teach students that really struggle with handling change.
My experience with my students, reminds me that
change is inevitable,
change can be really hard and messy,
change can be felt deeply,
BUT
change is also good,
change leads to growth, impact, progress,
change is beautiful
Anyways,
All this talk about change is connected to something new that has come up with my World Race Route.
You see, when I signed up for The World Race, I knew that I was signing up for a route that was subject to change.
I was okay with this; I thought.
I thought that if and when my route changed, I would be so excited and happy. I would love the new countries. My heart would be completely open to the newness that the change would bring. I would be full of trust in the Lord’s great plan. Fear would not take over as I transitioned through this beautiful change.
I guess you could say I was very optimistic.
And now the change has come.
I have reacted.
To be honest, my reaction to the change has not been as I had expected or desired.
My reaction has been hard and messy.
This change has been deeply felt.
I have been sad, mad, and scared.
My love for this newness has not been instantaneous.
My perceptions and my judgement have closed my heart.
My trust in His plan has wavered.
Fear has surged in.
I have been focused on myself – my plan.
I have been frustrated with myself for my reaction.
BUT
God has been with me through it all.
God has reminded me…
He is here, right here, with me.
It is okay!
He has a perfect plan.
He is in control.
He loves me, right where I am in all my human mess.
He is strong, when I am weak.
I have been reminded that it is okay for me to feel this change, but it is important for me to change with it.
I am asking Him to open my heart and mind. I am asking to be filled with hope and trust. May the fear be gone.
God is God
And
God is GOOD!
So,
HERE IS THE BIG UPDATE!
My World Race Fusion route has CHANGED!
I will no longer be serving in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Honduras.
(This saddens me a bit because I felt that God had placed Vietnam on my heart. I was falling in love with Vietnam and the Philippines. You see, these two countries, in particular, have a close connection to my family. My dad spent 14 months in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and my grandpa was stationed in the Philippines during World War II. I have always wanted to go to these countries. But, God has a different plan!)
INSTEAD…
My new route will be as follows.
UGANDA (january)
RWANDA (february)
ETHIOPIA (march)
MALAYSIA (april)
THAILAND (may)
CAMBODIA (june)
INDIA (july)
NEPAL (august)
COSTA RICA (september)
NICARAGUA (october)
GUATEMALA (november)
Thank You Jesus for Your perfect plan!
I can now say I am OKAY with this change!
Thank you Lord Jesus for the beauty that will come from this change!
Let Heaven Come.
On Earth As It Is In Heaven.
For Your Glory.
// Your HOPE-FILLED daughter //
LoVe,
CARY
