As world racers answer their call from God to pack up and leave with Him on an 11 month adventure, we all do our best to rationalize and accept that we are leaving home and all the people we love. We strive to leave with peace about missing the daily, familiar interactions that we take comfort in and also the extraordinary but very special life occasions.
When I left in January I did my best to deal with the reality that there were things I would miss this year and I felt like I was leaving with a peaceful heart. This month, however, I was faced with a season of grief. It became evident that I still needed to grieve that I was not going to have quality time this year with my niece, nephews, siblings, parents and best friends. I needed to grieve that I would miss moments of celebration like my best friends first baby, encouraging another best friend through her teaching program, watching my niece and nephews grow, and encouraging my sister as they look for a home. These are all moments that I feel like I’m missing with the people who mean the most to me.
Initially I wanted to avoid the sadness but I was struck when God asked me to press in to the grief. He needed me to be reminded that letting go of everything I love at home is bringing me to a place where I fall more in love with Him. With every day I am away, every beautifully uncomfortable situation, and each new country, I have the opportunity to press in deeper and find more intimacy with my Heavenly Father. He needs me to learn that my comfort is in Him and not in the people or places I love.
I still miss my loved ones enormously each and every day. But in place of sadness I will strive for joy because I have this unique and wild opportunity to chase Jesus on whatever adventure He has for us and allow Him to become my best and most intimate friend.
