Am I really missing out??

Our squad arrived in Lezhe- a quaint little Albanian town- about three weeks ago to partner with Lightforce International Ministry. Each summer they host a Christian Children’s Camp, where close to 2,000 kids will attend to not only have a great time participating in fun activities, but also learn about the Gospel and the importance of incorporating strong values into their daily lives. 

Being that we're here a month or two early- our ministry assignment has been to assist our contact George in getting the property ready for all the children to arrive.  Manual labor has been the name of the game. We’ve been doing anything and everything from painting, whitewashing, gardening, moving heavy rocks, organizing, inventory, etc. to help George in any way that we can.
 

One day in particular stands out. As we were painting a chicken coop gate in the hot sunshine…we started listening to some country music… and I began reminiscing a bit. With Steeplechase coming up and plenty of good shows lined up for the summer-

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was thinking about all the things that I’ll “be missing out on back home” this year…..

 
But then I stopped myself and took a few minutes to look around. I was standing on a beautiful farm in the middle of Albania with a paintbrush in my hand. As I took a break from brushing the black paint onto the gate- I looked in between the metal bars to enjoy the breathtaking view of the countryside, with the beautiful yellow flowers in the field and the grey mountains in the distance.

And then I asked myself – Am I really missing out???
 
It turns out- I already knew the answer to that question- NOT AT ALL.
 

I’d be missing out on way more if I would have ignored those feelings that I would get on Monday mornings, after spending all weekend in the same bars, doing the same shameful things, over and over again. If I wouldn’t have left my old lifestyle behind and embarked on this journey- I probably would have continued living in a complacent state of mind, with no real purpose or meaning to my life.

 
I would have missed out on the once in a lifetime opportunity to live on a farm in Lezhe, Albania this month. I would have missed out on having the opportunity to milk a cow for the first time, as well as shepherd sheep for an afternoon (which basically means sitting with the sheep to make sure they don’t eat the trees). I would have missed out on the opportunity to wake up every morning and gain some inspiring wisdom, by listening to George discuss the Book of Proverbs.
 

And most importantly- I would have missed out on this amazing process of allowing God to change me, shape me, and mold me into becoming more like His image- all for the better. For it is written that He knows my inner most desires and what will ultimately make me happiest.

 
And once I look at the situation like that- I actually get scared to think about what would have happened…. but in all honesty, that’s not even necessary. Because one thing is for sure- God had a better plan for my life and me.
 
And I finally decided to start listening to Him. 
 
And thank God I did 🙂