AHHHHH! Can you believe that this thing is almost up and rolling?! I feel like time is going by faster and faster each day, and before I know it I’ll be looking at the same stars from a different place. It blows my mind, but also brings me to tears in the anticipation of this new adventure I will be starting with my amazing squad mates! There are 21 days until I leave for training camp, and 103 days until I leave for 11 months! I have $1,506 to raise to reach that $10,000 dollar mark, which allows me to leave with my squad in January, and I’m $8,923 away from being fully funded by December! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far, and I thank you so much for wanting to be apart of this journey with me. If you haven’t yet donated and would like to, click the bar above that says donate! Every little bit counts, so if you feel led to give please do.
With all that being said, I knew that the closer and closer the date got to leave, I knew I would be plunged into different trials in my life. You know when something sucks, and you’re trying your best to have a positive attitude but it’s really hard? I asked why are all these things happening at once? I know I need to be thankful for trials, but damn Lord, you couldn’t space ’em out a bit? That’s how I’ve felt lately.
For the past couple weeks someone has had something negative to say about what I look like, what I’m doing with my life, or how I carry myself. I had been stereotyped and had people turn their nose up at me, without knowing the first thing about me. Normally my first reaction would be, “Excuse me?!” all of this in a rude tone of course. But this time was different. I was able to handle the situation without letting my emotions get the best of me, and I thought about them personally instead of dismissing them. I thought about situations that could’ve happened in their life to bring them to that moment. I wanted to breath love into those places where people had taught them to breed hate. These trials kept me turning my eyes to Jesus, and for that I’m so thankful.
I wouldn’t of been able to do this if it weren’t for Him. I know exactly where my loyalty lies, and where my roots are planted. I wasn’t shaken by what people who didn’t know anything about me said. I know that I am deeply loved, and that’s something that can never be taken away from me. I know that I am valued and cherished, and that my worth doesn’t lie in my ability to do, or not do something. I know that my identity isn’t rooted in my skin color either. It’s a beautiful part of me, but something much greater defines me. My Jesus is who defines me. Better than knowing these things, I believe them. My prayer for us is that we believe in where we belong. I pray that we find it in Christ, because He is the only thing that is truly everlasting. The one thing that will last after this world has faded. Even if it’s not in Christ, I pray that it’s something that you will lead you to His feet.
I remember hearing this sermon 2 years ago and I will never forget it. He talked about how honey bees circle their hive before leaving so they know exactly where their home is. If something happens to the hive while they are gone, when the bee returns, it will still circle around the spot where the hive was. They will circle this place until death because they believe without a doubt that it’s home. It’s where they belong. They don’t care if it seems hopeless to others, or even pointless. They believe in where their home is. They know where their roots run deep. That is my prayer for you. That you not only know exactly where you belong, but you believe it.
Best,
Alisha Allen
