When I was younger
– and I’m talking
about when I was just a kid myself –
our gracious Lord
spoke to me.
He put a dream in my
heart, and
He promised me CHILDREN FROM MANY NATIONS.
At the time, I didn’t
know what that was going to mean for my life.
And I didn’t know
what I was supposed to do about it.
Even now, I can’t
imagine all that it might still mean for my future,
but I am amazed at
how this promise has already been fulfilled.
He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians
3:20).
I actually kind of
forgot the promise – worded as such –
until just over a
year ago, at a debrief in Hong Kong.
Our World Race squad
was worshipping and praying,
and our coaches urged
us to ask for the desires of our hearts and then just listen.
For encouragement.
For revelation.
I heard several
things as His love flooded over me.
Then I heard a voice
say,
“I promise you
children from many nations.”
The voice belonged to
someone else in the room
who did not know me
very well yet
and who had certainly
not known about the original promise.
To get that kind of
confirmation from an outside source
reminded me of how
worthy the Lord is of adoration and renewed my hope!
* * *
By the time I
graduated college, I was already a victim of wanderlust.
As my friends started their careers and families,
I entertained the
idea of traveling around the world,
adopting a kid in
each country along the way…
You see, I’ve always
kind of had big dreams and radical ideas about
how to live.
I wasn’t doing anything intentionally to pursue that early promise,
and yet it was always
there in my heart, directing my decisions.
I ended up taking a job teaching
at an international school in South Korea.
My students came from
50 different countries:
Norway, Bulgaria,
Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Canada …
And they were
definitely my babies, even if they were in high school!
Living abroad inspired
other opportunities to travel and volunteer,
which in turn
prompted me to sponsor a child with Compassion
International.
Obviously I got to
continue traveling with the World Race this past year,
and so many children
touched my heart!
Since I have been
home from the Race,
I have gotten more or
less settled in my hometown in Missouri.
I’ve been spending
time hanging out with my family
(including my adorable
one-year old nephew)
and getting ready to
start my master’s degree (in education/literacy).
I have also been substitute teaching and volunteering with children,
both at church and at
an after-school program.
There are a lot of international students and visiting
professors at the university here,
and our community also welcomes refugee families.
So whatdya know?!
The children currently
in my life are indeed from many nations!
and I look forward to being
WOW-ed as
He continues to deliver and provide.
His interpretation of His blessings may be different than what we expect,
but I assure you, His way is better – it’s the best!
* * *
What has God promised
you?
What whisper echoes
in your soul?
What dreams has He
planted in your heart?
And how has He
started to fulfill those promises?
Listen and look
again.
And praise His name!
* * *
“Repent
and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
(Acts 2:38-39)
