This is my last blog state-side for the next year of my life. How crazy is that? So I wanted to share something on my heart.
I have just experienced World Race Launch in Atlanta. A weekend event focused on what our goals are going to be for the next year and how we are to reach those goals. We talked about Storytelling, Discipleship, Evangelism, and Spiritual Growth. It was full of emotions and encouragement but it wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns. Traveling to Atlanta went a little something like this.
I stayed up all night packing.
I had to say goodbye to my family and my dogs.
I forgot my Typhoid meds.
My dad did his best to get me to the airport.
My pack was over 50 lbs.
I missed my flight.
I arrived late in Atlanta and felt completely overwhelmed and essentially had a break down in my hotel room…(my poor poor roommates)
But then, I saw some people from my squad and I instantly felt calm and at peace.
I love my squad. God brought us all together for multiple reasons and boy am I glad. We have tons of different personalities and traits. We are overflowing with gifts of the Spirit and I cannot wait to see how God uses us in every country. I am so thankful for these 40+ people and they truly are my family. I cannot imagine going on this journey with anyone else.
A word that terrified me when I was interested in the World Race. I have never done well in close community. I like my space and I need it. But now, I am excited for it tight nit community. I am excited to become vulnerable and step into those difficult places with some beautiful people. I am ready to do life and walk in faith with them. I am looking forward to sharing the joys and also the heartaches.
Whenever my past relationships and friendships have gone sour, I usually point the finger. I find people to blame and of course it’s never my fault. But I have become so much more aware of how I interact with people and how much control I have on whether it is a positive or a negative relationship. And most often than not, I played a huge part in the breaking of a relationship.
So I am making a goal, and I want to share it with you.
As a person, a teammate, a Story Leader for my team, a woman, a Christian, and a servant, I am going to encourage my fellow man. I am going to bring them up and push them to greatness. I am no longer going to compare myself to them or want them to fail. I want these people to succeed and grow. I want them to do their absolute best. And if they do that, then that will be my success.
Too many times I have torn relationships apart because I put my needs and wants before a friend’s. No more. These people are my family and I love them. It is my job to build them up and serve them humbly and lovingly because that is exactly what Christ has done for us.
“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
Questions to ponder
What does your Community look like and how will you serve them?
What roles have you played in a relationship ending?
What can you improve on to better your relationships?
I am leaving to Tirana, Albania where I will be serving at Church of the Nazarene with a main focus of Children’s Ministry. Make sure you subscribe so you will get all the updates on what we will be doing in the next few weeks! And thank you to all those who have subscribed and are continuing to support me. I could not do this without you! I love you all!
