Less than 100 days until I embark on my trip to Thailand!! While I originally thought the trials and tribulations would only begin once I left the country, I’ve discovered that patiently awaiting that day is almost just as hard. I like to consider myself a worry free person, but creeping deadlines and goals remain a constant thought in the back of my mind. For a while, I found these thoughts frustrating because it made aware of all of the things I had yet to do, and they made me doubt if I would ever actually accomplish them. Through a lot of time spent in prayer, I am trying to shift my perspective about this long period of waiting. The Bible talks a lot about timing and patience, and while I could let anxiety and fear take over during the waiting period, it is actually a gift in disguise. How amazing is it that I have months and months to simply prepare my heart in order to best touch the lives of the people in Thailand. 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Since God is the purest example of loving others and He is constantly working for good, then His timing is always just. I know in my heart that I am meant to “go” and serve others, but I cannot rely on my own timing, or my own means, and expect God to adjust his plans to keep up with my pace. So, to quiet the thoughts in the back of my head I have began preparing, not in the sense of fundraising or checking off tasks from my to do list, but preparing spiritually. While there is still some anxiousness surrounding deadlines and awaiting the summer, I can be patient because I know His promise to me will never be forgotten. If this trip is surely meant to happen, then it will happen on His terms and with His timing. As they say, slow and steady win the race, and the slower I go, the readier my heart will be.
