I came across a quote along my race and it has stuck with me and has been one of my life mottos that I repeat over and over again. John Eldridge has put out the books Captivating and Wild at Heart that I was told about relationships but actually helped understand the “male gender” and myself better.
Okay, so here is the quote, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive”.
Let me explain why I love this quote. First, you should never ask the world or people what they really need. It can be easy to be used and get ran over. We should just want to help others around and be apart the world we live in more noticeably to the people around us. Not neglecting the needs are family, friends, and people around us may have. This trip has got me off myself and started looking at the other person next to me. How can I make them smile, laugh, speak life, or help them. That is organically what the world needs without ever asking. Being present, not neglecting others and be apart what is happening wherever you are.
Second, I realized when I get off myself and notice the world around me, I begin to come alive. I’ve seen the world and done things that make me come alive. There have been great times, okay moments, times I wanted to run from the ministry site and location, and unforgettable moments that made me realize how beautiful the world is. Life is not easy and can be messy, but being present, not running away, and living every moment as if this life was a gift makes a person come alive. So I asked myself what makes me come alive. I do appreciate everything more than I did a year ago, but what really makes me come alive?
After brainstorming… I came up with a few that I will share. My family. My mom, Taylor, Chris, Brittany and my sweet daddy, who I miss. They bring smiles on my face and tears on my face that I can not describe. They are the people that made me into who I am. My mother literally amazes me and challenges me to keep my head up and trust Jesus. I can tell her anything and she is there, listening. My biggest cheerleader and friend. My dad is the constant reminder to love God and the people in front of me and with all I have, also his impeccable work ethic. Then my extended family, Meemaw, aunt Dee Dee and the gang, Victoria, and Ethan. My family and friends that have stood beside me through the best and hardest times of my life. MY supporters that believed in me and my crazy idea for traveling the world. Teaching/coaching…I wanted to give up on this dream but God has instilled in me the desire to change youth and use sports as a part of it. Inner city makes me come alive and the whole scene. Smiling, laughing, spending time with me, chips and slasa, shopping, roadtrips, beach, city, and all those little things that people know about me. Community. Never thought that would be one but after being with my precious N squad, these people make me so happy and these people (some more than others and you know who you are) have just invested in my story and pushing me to Jesus and discovering myself. Then last, my sweet Savior in heaven who “created me and thought I was a good idea”. (as Catherine Rosselli likes to say). Just has given me so much hope and has used me to be apart of something greater than myself. The relationship I have with him now is amazing and thankful that I have gotten to experience what he has for me each day with FAITH to the MAX. Our journey together is actually, I feel, just beginning.
Third, so I come alive with things above. So what does the world need? The world needs me to be myself and doing what I love. Not being anything more or less, but just living. Whatever is next, doing the things that I love because the happiness and joy that pours out of me will spark people to come alive. That can be impact and leave a legacy in the hearts of people. The next step is undecided. I want to teach in the inner city America, I have a huge heart for Camp Joy in Cape town with recovering drug addicts, prostitutes, and gangsters. Then I have some crazy dreams that could happen in the next years, but you get the jest. I speak this quote out because I do not want to be ordinary and I want to do what makes me come alive. That is what I have learned in this trip and my little reminder to myself.
With all that…I have a way you can help me organize my thoughts! After the World Race, there is a group meet up called Project Searchlight for the four teams that launched in January that has classes and other resources to help us to connect with what is next. Kind of like a job fair that would be helpful after this trip since I am broke and jobless. If you want to help me get there, YOU CAN!!! So I want to gather some gas money that can be given to me when I get to Georgia. It is expensive and not around the corner so any money could help. I am asking for maybe $10 from my blog readers to help me get to Atlanta! You can donate to my account at this link
https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=For%20Lauren%20Leabhart
or you can send it my house which I will be at in 3 weeks!!!!! AHH… 675 D street Pasadena, MD 21122
Thanks for reading my blog and supporting my trip!! Means a lot! J
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