Sweet Sacajewea! It’s 2 A.M. and I can’t fall asleep. Some things have been mulling around in my head, so I thought I’d share them with the world! Haha. (That’s a slightly scary thought). I must admit, blogging might prove to be a bit difficult for me. Let me tell you why….
In sixth grade I can remember how excited I would get when it was my chance to give a speech or read aloud in class. I actually looked forward to those times! After going through high school and college and learning how to criticize/critique pretty much anything and everything, though, that eagerness began to dissipate. I was just as excited to speak in public as I was to watch paint dry, and activities that involved me sharing my real opinion made my stomach churn. Even when I am talking with people about certain issues where I don’t really share the same sentiment, I withhold what I’m truly thinking and simply nod. Why? There are a few reasons I can think of…
Fear of having my ideas rejected
Fear of being critiqued
Fear of saying something theologically incorrect, politically incorrect, or, heaven forbid, grammatically incorrect
Fear of not being able to contribute anything significant
Now, I don’t want to necessarily say that there is something wrong with being a little quiet now and then. There are times when the best thing to be said is nothing at all. I probably make it difficult, however, for God to use me when I withhold something He just might want to say through me. And as sad as I am to admit it, I think these fears might just find their root in issues of pride. I have to constantly remind myself, though, that following Christ necessitates vulnerability, humility, andcommunity.
Vulnerability–getting out of one’s comfort zone and being willing to give and receive
Humility–realizing that your ideas aren’t always right and that mutual edification can indeed occur through the correction and/or encouragement of others (albeit opposing views)
Community–Understanding that Christians are called to community which, therefore, necessitates communication
(Of course, there is a plethora of ways to understand these three words. This is simply how I have chosen to use them). 
You might be wondering what brought all this on. Well, I’m right there with ya! Haha! Jk.
Seriously, though, I think the Lord is trying to tell me [in advance] how the World Race is going to require that I open up a bit more…which may include exposing some things to others and/or using me as His voice to speak to others. I will also encounter things that will be quite different from what I’m accustomed to, which will require me to be vulnerable, humble, and loving. The World Race encourages that I share my experience with you via blogging, which isn’t a bad thing at all! I have a feeling, though, there will be times when I will get homesick (or literally sick!), frustrated, lonely, dejected, etc. In other words, there will be times when I won’t feel like smiling and saying “everything is okay” when it’s not. It would be unfair to you (my reader[s]…I hope I have a few readers, lol) to do so and to not tell you how I’m truly feeling. *It would also help you if you knew how to pray for me specifically.*
Soooooo, this post alone is already beginning to be a way for me to express my voice to the whole world…the Internet world, that is. 
Thank you for stopping by and, as always, I love you and I’m praying for you!
