I’ve been in Italy for the past two weeks fulfilling one of my dreams and the whole time all I could think of was how awesome God is. He is the reason I got here. This morning as I was reflecting over the trip, I saw how God’s hand was all over it. He’s funny you know. Maybe some of you are wondering why I would take a long trip right before I leave the country for nine months, I know I did a few times. As my trip came closer I began to worry that I wouldn’t be ready for the World Race because I’d only have two weeks when I got back, yet somehow, I feel even closer to the Lord. I’ve still got a lot to do and work on before we launch, so I wouldn’t say I’m ready yet. Honestly, I don’t know when I’ll feel fully ready to leave because it is scary to leave everyone and everything you’ve been comfortable with, but it will be well.
During these two weeks, God reminded me of a few things and taught me some others:
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His plans are always better than my plans. This trip started with my plans being altered, and then throughout the trip most things my friend, Rori, and I planned on doing just didn’t work out. Regardless, we had the best time and got to explore the cities and be present in those beautiful moments. We got to see things we probably wouldn’t have if our other plans worked out.
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I am capable of doing things on my own. I am independent. I was alone for my first day in Rome and I was so nervous that I’d get lost or something would go wrong. But before I went out I spend some time in worship and went out into the city confidently and somehow navigated myself to a piazza I had been wanting to go to. He got me back to the Airbnb just in time too so that I’d be there when Rori arrived. Point is- I am capable of doing much more than I give myself credit for because I’ve got the best navigator and guider!! Thanks Jesus.
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I am never alone. The day we left for Venice we had to wait at the train station in Florence for 4 hours. I woke up feeling anxious that day and as the morning went on my stomach turned more and more. This wasn’t something that could be cured by a trip to the bathroom or a quick snack. My breath quickened and the walls felt like they were closing in on me in the middle of a cafe at the station. I went to the bathroom in the hopes that I would be able to calm myself down. This didn’t work out exactly as I had planned because I started having a panic attack in the middle of a bathroom stall, but in the midst of my quick breaths and tears I saw my bracelet that said “GOD IS BIG ENOUGH”. In that moment something in me shifted. I remembered that my God is bigger than any of my fears and anxieties. He is big enough to cover all of that. I began to sing “Tremble” and was able to calm down and steady my breathing. God never left my side and He never will, I just have to remember he is by my side during those moments just waiting for me to call him for help, comfort, and peace and he’ll deliver because that’s the kind of God he is. A loving one.
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Sometimes I depend on others because it’s easier than taking responsibility. This is something I have to constantly remind myself to work on because I’ve realized that I can become too dependent on people, especially in friendships, to speak for me. God gave me a voice not to be timid, but to be bold!!
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When you dream God dreams and put forth the effort, He will take you to places you never imagined. Traveling to Italy has been a dream of mine since 7th or 8th grade and my desire to go grew throughout high school as I learned more about the language and culture. When the thought of going for my 20th birthday seemed feasible I was so excited, I worked early mornings and covered shifts to save up. I knew I wanted to go, but I also knew that in order to take myself there I’d need to put forth effort by working even on days when I really felt like playing hooky.
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Travel days on the race will be tiring and rough, but company will make it better. We travelled to six cities in two weeks and boy were we tired. We’d wake up early, pack up (I always waited til last minute oops), and walk to the train to transfer to another one. These days felt endless. Rebuckling my backpack and taking it off and then putting it back on again was exhausting both physically and mentally. Hunger would creep in from not having enough time to grab a bite because we were always rushing to catch our trains. These days I felt a range of emotions, but not having to do it alone made it more bearable. These days were good practice for travel days on the race because I know there will be lots of sweat, tired legs and feet, and all the fun waiting that comes with traveling.
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Patience & grace is necessary when traveling with others. Things will go wrong or differently than you wanted. I may have led us in the wrong direction more than a handful of times, but Rori gave me grace in those moments even though she’d roll her eyes at me. She’d say “melissaaa” in that tone that would humble me and remind me that I’m not always right, but she wouldn’t get angry. She still kept a smile on her face and would declare she had patience when I’m sure in those moments she wanted to lose it. I appreciate how well she handled those stressful moments and am reminded that I too need to be patient with others.
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Community really is a gift and I’m loved by such amazing people. The fact that I even have a friend who would book a plane ticket to another country two days before I was supposed to leave blows my mind. Rori and I lived together for a year and it was a blast, but that means she also got to see all of me. The unpolished, messy, broken me all the way to the fun, joyful me – she’s seen it all and still wanted to spend two more weeks with me??? Crazy. But amazing. I am grateful that God placed such loving, and spirit filled people in my life. She’s kept me grounded and watching how she lives inspires me to live boldly with confidence in who I am because I am God’s creation.Thank you Lord for answering my prayers.
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Sometimes it’s better to not have a plan and just go with the flow. This one relates to number one. When you don’t have a plan, it opens opportunities to experience different things, and forces you to just be. You don’t have to rush, you don’t have to check off things on list, instead you can just marvel at those moments and live in the present not worrying about what you have to do next because either way you will have fun. It’s all part of the adventure.
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God is SO faithful. This one speaks for itself. It is true now, it was true yesterday, and it is true always. Need a reminder? Reflect on your own life the times that God delivered you from a hardship, or showed you his love through others, or by the blessings in your life. He is still working in your life now even if you don’t feel it or see it.
Faithful you are,
Faithful forever you will be,
Faithful you are,
All your promises are yes and amen.
“Yes and Amen” by Housefires
Prayer requests: – that I would be ready for the race in a few weeks
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that I get everything I need to get done, done
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for growth and boldness
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for the Lord to provide and give me creative ways to finish fundraising
Thanks for taking your time to read this 🙂 You are amazing and you are loved!
All my love,
Melissa
