I could feel the slobber from their warm welcome drying on my knee. Emmy, Cookie, and I sat at the breakfast table, hiding from the golden retrievers and watching as Cookie folded and stuffed her fundraising letters into addressed envelopes.
Cookie is leaving for Haiti in September to work at a school for the year. She’s pretty incredible, and incredibly encouraging.
The three of us sat around the table, discussing our upcoming adventures when Cookie said, “Well, you never grow while you are in your comfort zone, but when you are thrown out of it.”
I’m not sure how you would define your comfort zone, but I think we can all agree that leaving the continent for 11 months counts as being “thrown out of it.”
I’ve left my comfort zone my fair share of times, and I’ve definitely grown and matured (at least a little) over the years, but the World Race will be the first time that I have to grow before I go so that I’m ready…to grow some more.
I’ve been working for the past six weeks at Camp Honey Creek, which has been my home for the past ten summers. While I’ve come to be very comfortable there, there’s something about being a counselor for a cabin full of 13 teenage girls that just throws you right out of your zone.
These weeks have brought forth so much growth- physically, mentally, and spiritually. While yes, my legs are tanned and toned, and yes I have mastered communicating with preteen girls (if that’s not impressive put yourself in a room with 14 screaming girls and get back to me), the most exciting part is my growth in my faith.
I’m learning that you turn to God even more after being thrown out of your comfort zone. I’m learning to come to God with my problems, take what He has to say, learn from it, and thus grow.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
