What if I told you there was a man who has been a large part of my life the last 6 years?
He’s accompanied me on long travel days through airports, mountain landscapes, and the bustling cities of Asia. He’s been there for many dance parties, cheered me on in moments of defeat and jammed with me in countless vehicles.
But I’ve never actually met him… so sorry Grandma if the title got your hopes up, there are no boys named Ben in my life – I’m single as a Pringle (though when you think about it Pringles are never really single, there just surrounded by lots of friends in that tiny can) and loving life.
Ben Rector is my favorite artist and his music has been playing loudly and softly, in the forefront and background of my world for a while now.
His music has been one of the few consistent things in my life on this journey. Regardless of where I was at in the world or what I was doing I could click on my same old favorite songs and they would play the same way every time.
Everything else has changed. My family has grown, each of them turning a ripe new age and my parents have adapted with me on this journey. My friends are looking at bright new futures completely different from the ones they were looking at when I left. My Church families from back home have moved into new buildings and renovated sanctuaries. Even Dallas will look different when I go home.
I found it quite fitting that on the day of my return Ben Rector comes out with his new album. Even my favorite artist is celebrating a new beginning, even his music won’t be the same tunes that have been following me this last year. Instead of the same songs, I’ll be coming home to new tunes on my very last travel day.
Now obviously the point I’m trying to make here isn’t really about Ben Rector, he was just a great analogy to use, the point is that nothing I’m going back to is the same and that’s ok. The person who left Dallas 11 months ago isn’t the person who is sitting here writing this blog.
Delta sat down at the end of our time together and each teammate wrote down 2 words that best described the others. Mine were:
Bold
Poised
Tender
Nurturer
Peaceful
Determined
Fearless
Caring
Kind
Brilliant
Some of those words would have been fitting for the Shannon that got on that plane from Love Field in August of 2017 but most of those words signify the work that God has done in my life.
He has changed my heart: he transformed me from a leader to a shepherd, he took me out of the bondage of shame and set me free, he softened my heart and turned me from abrasive to tender.
The ways that God has used the Race in my life are countless and I am so thankful that I was able to be apart of this journey. But regardless of how much I don’t want it to end, the race is coming to a close.
So where am I at as I come home?
I’m in Exodus 14.
Standing at the edge of the Red Sea.
I don’t know where I’m going next and I can’t really see beyond the waters right now. But I know that in His timing, the Lord will go before me and part the way to dry land.
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.” – Exodus 14:14
So, as Ben would say, “we’re almost home just another hundred miles and then it’s done”
Cheers to new beginnings and not knowing what’s next, it’s going to be beautiful!
ALSO – IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
I will be having a gathering at my home in Dallas to tell all of you about my Race, show you pictures, and just catch up!
Details:
Saturday, June 30th
Come and go from 2pm-5pm
If you would like to attend email me for the address at:
[email protected]
