Sunday, October 21st, 2018. It’s a quiet morning in Southern Illinois. The colorful autumn leaves rustle at the breaking of dawn as I stir from a night of deep, restful sleep. As my eyes flutter to meet the morning light, the Lord reveals the time that has past in the last year. 380 days ago, I left the United States and began the World Race. For 325 days I served, learned, challenged, wrestled, pursued, and loved. Over the course of my time on the World Race, the Lord continued strip me of comfort and bless me with numerous gifts. I made over 70 new friends and call 5 of them best friends; or better put, sisters. I slept in over 50 beds and woke up in 14 different countries. I’ve been home in the United States for 53 days now. I’ve shared World Race stories in front of crowds ranging from 5 people to 60 people. I visited friends old and new in 7 different cities. I’ve spent countless hours telling Nathan, my beloved, stories and experiences from the past year. 8 days ago, we got engaged. I’ve spent over 30 hours driving over the past 2 weeks. In a short 3 days I will move from my childhood home in Illinois to establish a new beginning in Georgia.
And now, I wait. Somewhere in between constantly moving around the world and becoming established in a new state and community, I wait… As I wait, I realize how much easier it is to notice the things that are countless… Where the Lord has gone beyond the numbers and moved powerfully in this last season and into the next.
Countless times I’ve talked to strangers.
Countless times my friends laughed and cried by my side.
Countless times I open the Word, craving truth.
Countless times I came to the end of myself, weak and defeated.
Countless times, the Lord blessed me with good nights of rest and good mornings of praise.
Countless times I forgave others, the power of the Holy Spirit.
Countless times I was forgiven by others.
Countless times I laid my head down with a prayer for safety.
Countless times I awoke, safe and renewed.
Countless times I was sought after and loved by my brothers and sisters.
Countless times I’ve asked the Lord, “What is the purpose in all of this?”
Countless times friends and family at home have said, “Taylor, your journey made an impact on me.”
Countless times I fell to my knees in exhaustion and weakness.
Countless times I rose tall to glorify my King.
Countless times I was reminded of the power in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Countless times I chose sin.
Countless times Jesus chose me.
Countless times I will choose to die to myself.
Countless times I will fail.
Countless times I will be forgiven.
Countless times I will be reminded that I AM LOVED.
Countless times will I recognize… the journey is and was worth it.
Somewhere in between these seasons of the World Race and a new life in Georgia with my soon-to-be husband, the Lord reminds me… “Taylor, this is not the end.” Today, I choose to recognize the numbers of this past season, but more than that… I choose to live in the promises that are COUNTLESS. I choose to live in where the countless promises have overcome all of my sin and where they will continue to bless and protect me. This is not the end of a season, it is the continuation of God’s countless promises.
This is my last blog from the World Race platform. I will be continuing to write on my new site: https://chatwithtay.wixsite.com/taylorschmidt
(If you are already subscribed to this blogging platform, you have been added to my new site.)
