Before I left for The Race, I said a tearful goodbye to a friend who gave me a ziplock bag full of letters written to encourage me throughout the months of travel. I just opened a note dedicated to my month in Thailand, and am so appreciative. Friend, if you read this, please know that your letters mean so much to me! Also, I hope it's okay that I put this on here, the power of these words have blown me away, I am speaking the truth of them over myself this morning. Here goes:
"Until you've seen this trash-can-dream come true, you stand at the edge while people run you through. And I thank the Lord there's people out there like you – I thank the Lord there's people out there like you."
-Elton John, Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters
It's not scripture, but it makes me think of you. You are an original. There's no one like you, not in the .. years I've roamed the earth anyway! I think that's pretty cool. I dig that your nickname is Bubba. You claim to be an introvert, yet you are more present in a conversation than anyone I can think of. You make people feel special and loved when they walk into a room where you are. You know how to lead and how to be led. You enjoy life and beauty – you help others do the same. You are a woman of fierce integrity. You have many gifts and talents artistically and musically. You are creative. You dance to your own rhythm. Your laugh is infectious – it always makes me smile. There are many wonderful things that make up Shelli. Embrace them. I don't know why I feel compelled to write that. Maybe that's for you to know.
I get the mental picture of our whole church on a huge hill in the wild. From the crowd, someone brings a flower up to Keith. We pray and give the flower to the wind. After a long time, we come back to that same spot – some of us a gone, some are different, but we are all smiling and joyous as we come together and begin to climb the hill again. Arm in arm, or holding hands, we all begin to smile as we realize the entire hill is now covered with wildflowers. We are filled with the Holy Spirit as we praise God for the glory of His work, and the beauty of His creation.
You are the flower taken by the wind. Through Jesus you will bring beauty and grace wherever you go. By embracing the beauty of who you are, others will be drawn to Him by you.
Thank you – a million times over. I am so grateful for the family I have back in Seattle, and in Minnesota. I am blessed beyond words! Love from Thailand.
