Traveling from Georgia to Colombia was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before… two days of carrying my packs what seemed like miles and miles, napping in airports and on airplanes, eating whatever allergen friendly food I could find, changing my clothes and brushing my teeth in a public bathroom, praying the water from the drinking fountain was safe, and waking up during a flight with painfully swollen hands and feet despite proactively wearing compression socks. At some point, I realized it would be smart to take my rings off. I honestly don’t even remember where I was or when exactly I did this. I’m pretty sure I was on a plane, in the middle seat trying not to bother the people around me, but it’s all a blur. I was a bit delirious after two days without proper sleep.
Once we arrived at the local ministry in Colombia, we settled into our living quarters and had some time to rest. When I was unpacking and organizing my belongings, I realized I didn’t know where my rings were. I decided I’d look for them once I got some sleep figuring they’d show up at some point. A week went by and I still hadn’t seen them. Last Monday I took the time to go through every pouch and pocket intentionally searching for them without success. I came to the realization that my rings may be gone forever. I was disappointed in my self for losing something so sentimental in the first week of the race.
Each of the three rings all has a special meaning to me. One is made from a silver spoon handle that matches one my sister has. The second is a dainty silver ring with a tiny stone called poppy topaz which represents my World Race team Papoula Fogo or Fire Poppy in Portuguese. I bought this ring for myself and one for each of my 5 other teammates as a reminder that we have all walked through the fire and are blooming like radiant fire poppies. The third ring is one I purchased at Launch in Georgia right before we left for Colombia. It’s called a Go Ring and has 11 silver strands representing each of the 11 countries we will be ministering to on the World Race.
All that to say, these rings aren’t just decorative jewelry, they mean something. They’re reminders of things that are special to me. Last week after deliberately searching and not finding them, I started praying about the situation. I knew this past weekend we would be moving rooms within the compound and prayed they would turn up then, but they didn’t. Last night, I changed my prayer. Instead of praying for my rings to be found, I told God that it was okay if I didn’t get them back. If He wanted me to learn something from letting go, I would accept that because He knew best. I also told Him that if it was alright with Him, I’d like to have them back someday but in a way that would surprise me. Then, I let it go.
This morning I packed my backpack and headed for the coffee shop with some girlfriends to spend our day off catching up on communication, photos, and blogging while utilizing the free Wi-Fi. I settled in on the couch with my coffee and laptop ready to get started on my to-do list. I opened my glasses case which I haven’t opened since arriving because I only use them when I’m on my computer for a prolonged period. As I took my glasses out of the case, my three rings fell out of the microfiber cloth they were wrapped in. I gasped. I cried. I shared with my friends how what I had lost and let go of had been found. How amazing is our God that He listens, He answers, He gives us what we desire, but only once we’ve learned the lesson and given up our will. His timing is perfect. I’m realizing more and more that this World Race journey is just as much about what God wants to do in my life as what He wants me to do for others.
This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:30
