A few posts back I shared about how I was disappointed because my trip had to be pushed back from January to July. Now that I should be gone and in Thailand (according to my own plans), I find myself once again thanking God for unanswered prayers (seems to be a theme in my life).
Back at the end of October, God decided to shake me up a little bit by abruptly closing some doors in my life. I had been studying the life of David in 2014 and one of the things that stood out to me was his willingness to accept whatever God brought his way. He had an attitude of compliance and took everything with ease. I decided to give it a try and be positive and not fight the changes that were occuring with my living situation, job, friends, and plans for my trip.
God was faithful as always and is now opening up my eyes to the blessings he has in store for me here. First of all, I LOVE my new coworkers. They are so funny, warm, friendly, inviting, and accepting. Secondly, I am getting to spend so much valuable time with my family before I leave. Thirdly, I am getting to see what God is doing right here in my own hometown before I leave to travel the world. I have been trying out different churches in the area and it has been amazing to see the different ways that different people worship the same God. This is the whole reason I wanted to go on the trip to begin with and I just love that I am being prepared for it even before I go.
A few things have really stood out to me these past couple weeks:
1. Humility and Honor– At one of the bible studies I went to the leader actually went around and literally washed our feet the way Jesus washed the feet of his apostles. This was such a beautiful depiction of how our attitudes towards one another should be of humility and honor. I know it is easy to allow disagreements to divide, but this really made me think about how we are called to figuratively, “wash each other’s feet”. We are called to humble ourselves in love and extend gestures of honor to ALL people in our lives.
2. Abundance– Ephesians 3:20 & Matthew 6:33 are themes in my life right now. God will do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask or imagine when we seek his kingdom first and foremost. Believe it.
3. Unity– When I was in NYC a few weeks ago, I randomly met a couple who are from Fredericksburg and just recently started a church here. Since I don’t believe in coincidences, I know that God has something in store for me with this church. I went to the bible study and found out that it is a bilingual church that focuses on unity of all ethnicities and cultures. Ahhhhh….what a perfect place to be right before I leave for World Race. I’m hoping to pick up on some Spanish in the mean time.
Once again, God has brought me full circle…back to the place I grew up (and never thought I would come back to). I’m feeling like this is going to be an eventful next six months of growth and I am very thankful for the extra preparation time!
