Did God answer my prayer for Anna to go away? Of course not. God had bigger and better plans than those that arose out of my discomfort.
Anna took a silver pail that had some quarter sheet fliers about the World Race, dumped the fliers onto the table and said “I’ll be back.” Anna proceeded to go to groups and individuals of people sitting and watching the cruise, asking them for money for my trip. She had no printed information to give them-nothing that looked official-only a silver pail and her words. But people gave. My jaw dropped, I continued to be uncomfortable for the remainder of the evening, but Anna persisted in her mission. Many people said no, some looked annoyed, and others gave. Anna came back with coins, ones, fives, and tens. At one point she came back with a hundred dollar bill. Yes, a HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL! I made nearly as much that night in donations as I did in bracelet sales.
As the night ended Anna and I got to talking I learned how Anna became so comfortable in asking for people to donate. Her mother was constantly fundraising when she was growing up and it became natural for her. In fact, she enjoyed doing it (now that’s a concept I can barely wrap my head around!). I was blessed with the opportunity to learn more about Anna as we gave her a ride across town to meet up with a friend that night.
Though grateful for the blessings and opportunities to bless that night, my sense of discomfort never left me. It’s a good thing, though, that “God cares more about your character than your comfort.”
Does the story end there? Not even close. Why? Because I had to keep reminding myself that God cares more about my character than my comfort all day Saturday as Anna returned to help me fundraise the next day.
Did I start shouting out to people asking them for money like Anna did? No. But I came to realize a few things. I realized that my style of fundraising is okay and that God has blessed it thus far. I also realized, though, that Anna’s style is okay. Our styles may differ greatly and we may not fully understand the other person’s style, but God blessed both of our efforts.
I was reminded that God’s blessings can come in odd packages. I am confident God used Anna not only to bless my fundraising, but to prepare me for the “odd packages” that blessings may come in over the next 11 months. I must learn not to pray away the discomforts-the differences-but to accept them graciously and with an open mind and heart. I need to learn how to be blessed by them and how to bless them back.
I left that weekend of support raising with a thousand dollars for my trip, lessons learned , and Anna’s address so I can send her a postcard.
As I find myself at the 6 day mark until departure, I become increasingly excited about the discomforts, blessings, and opportunities to bless people that the next 11 months hold.
