Everyone hears about how difficult the World Race can be. But they really only hear it from the Racers perspective. God has been teaching me a lot this last month about changing my perspective so I wanted to help change yours too. Here’s what the first month on the Race looks like from the parents perspective.. Here’s how my precious Momma is feeling with me being gone now for a month. Hope y’all enjoy her sweet words!!
Before I tell you how it feels to be the parent of a Racer I think it is only fair to tell you a little about myself so you know where I am coming from. The day Savannah was born I knew I was in big trouble. The love I felt for her was different from any other and it overwhelmed me. I talked to God right then and there and said, “I give her to you because I know if anything happens to her, I won’t be able to deal with it.” Every single day of her life I have prayed and thanked God for another day with her and also reminded me and God about the covenant I made the day she was born. Every day since then she has taken another step closer to full dependence on God and another step further from me. It was so gradual but it has helped me in ways I never thought possible. It also allowed me to enjoy watching her grow and I always wondered what she would do next.
Fast forward 21 years to the day she told us she wanted to do the race. The first thing I prayed was, “God, you have had her in your arms all these years. I expect nothing less now than for you to protect her and use her to Your will and not mine.” This last year I don’t feel that I have really prepared that much for Savannah to go on the race. I knew I would miss our chats, late night texting, shopping sprees and ice cream runs, but I also know that she is here on earth for a greater purpose.
The first day of launch I cried like a baby the whole day. Some were happy tears, some were sad tears and some where confusion as to how I even felt about the race. I was so overwhelmed at worship that night at how all of the racers really worshiped. They were 100% in the moment with the Holy Spirit. It was beautiful to see. On the second day, the day we would leave our baby girl, I was like, “peace out.” I was perfectly fine. I made all the calls, on the way home, to the grandparents to say we had left her. They all cried but I was fine.
Savannah’s launch. She text me from Atlanta and Miami. Then I impatiently waited on the next text at her next stop which was overseas. I finally got it and I could relax, well, a little. School had just started back and we just moved so I was busy everyday unpacking. So I thought I was doing fine. I was until the first day she did a video call. It was great and I was happy and cheerful on the phone with her. That all changed the minute I hung up the phone. I busted into tears. I cried for a solid 30 minutes and then on and off for another 3 hours. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. I mean, I was happy that she was doing so well. I was sad because I just missed her voice. I emailed her dad to let him know that I had heard from her (he is a school teacher so I couldn’t call). He said, “I am glad it was you and not me. I don’t think I could handle it yet.” So the tears started all over again.
I do seem to be better now. I am just so excited to see what God has in store for her. It has made me question what my faith looks like and what I want it to look like. This race has given me the opportunity to talk to folks I normally would not have talked to. It has allowed God to plant a seed in so many more places than just the country Savannah is in. The power of this race is beyond comprehension. It has me so excited, sometimes sad but mostly in awe of the awesome God we serve. I give thanks that my dad introduced me to my Heavenly Father and that I in turn introduced Savannah. That little mustard seed can grow more than we could ever imagine.
Melissa Stoker
It’s crazy to think how much God is working on me and my own heart, but to see Him work in the people in my life as well brings the biggest smile to my face. God is doing big works y’all!
With love, Sav
