I know you probably already know that I love sunsets and the sky. In Thailand, God reminded me that I was right where I was supposed to be while staring at one in Phuket.
In Malawi, the sky is close. I can’t quite describe it. The blue of the sky is as deep as the ocean, and there seems to be no end to the vastness of its borders. The sunsets are breathtakingly beautiful, hand-crafted by the Creator of the Universe Himself. I often don’t see them because we are in our brick compound with lots of neighboring high walls and things in the way. But you can still see the color of the sky dramatically change as the sun and moon shift. Shades of orange, pink and purple overtake the blue sky. The clouds and reflection of the sun simply take my breath away.
Unfortunately, cameras don’t capture the awe inspiring beauty of the sky. But I take the pictures anyways. So, here’s just a few.
If sunsets, sunrises, and the sky was a love language, I am pretty confident that would be mine. I’ll just let it be my sanctuary for now. It’s the place where I meet God. Sitting and looking at the sky above me is where God has reminded me of His truth most clearly during my time in Malawi.
“Shara, I designed you with more intention than this.”
“I made you more intricate and more beautiful than this.”
“There’s brokeness in the world, but beauty still remains.”
“No matter what else is happening, I’m still in control.”
“Shara, if I know all of these stars by name, just imagine how well I know you.”
And my sweet friend Katie got these words from Jesus for me while under these stars on the beach at debrief last month. “You shine brighter than all the stars in the African sky. And He loves you with a love that is more relentless and fierce than the waves crashing into the short.”
I love the sky, y’all. I love that His mercies are new every morning and that is as sure as the sun rising every morning. I love that I’m more intricate than the array of colors beautifully painted in the sky every single day. And I love that something so simple can remind me of something as magnificent as the love of Jesus.
My time in Malawi has come to a close. It was hard; I won’t lie to you. I’ve missed home and had a hard time with ministry. BUT, I love the way the Lord has spoken to me. I love that He reminds me everyday of the importance of putting Him above every other thing. I love that He reminds me I can walk in freedom and grace daily. I love that He loves me beyond anything I can fathom. I love that I’ve learned that to have a conversation with the Father, it requires me to listen.
We have made it to Guatemala. I have been praying for our time here and the lives we are about to encounter for months. I’m excited for what God is going to do during our final three months of the Race. He’s already blown me away by His reminders of beauty and celebration and its only been 36 hours. I’m excited to look up and see the sky He created and experience more of Him.
Thank you so much for your support and your prayers. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you.
Please pray for my parents as they travel to Guatemala!!!!! Love y’all so much.
