Last summer a book magically appeared on my kitchen counter. Ok, truthfully it was left there by a friend with a key to my apartment (thanks, Keri!) during an unplanned book swap. She found the book, My Hands Came Away Red, randomly on a clearance table.
I’m picking up this same book to read for the third time since last summer. Yes, I’ve hear the “How can you read that again?” questions. Yes, I already know the story and how it turns out. But I’m still drawn to the story in a way I’m not even sure I understand. I mean, part of it makes sense. The basic storyline follows a girl who travels overseas for a mission trip, even though she’s definitely not SuperChristian. Throughout the story she goes through the “What in the world was I thinking?” and “God, why did you put me here?” questions. (I do foresee this happening at least a dozen times next year). Things in the story don’t turn out how everyone expects. It gets messy. But God is still there.
Maybe I’m just putting this out there as a reminder. No, the goal of writing this was not to fill a book report assignment. Maybe it’s a reminder for you now-God can still work, even when it gets messy. Or maybe as a reminder for the future-when this trip doesn’t go as planned and life gets messy.
So I actually wrote this ten days ago, but my computer hasn’t been cooperating since then. Over the last week there has been a lot going on:
-amazing blessings in the support-raising department. 41% of the way there!! $8,412.50 left to raise.
-getting gear together for the trip. I now have a backpack, tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. What else could I possibly need for a year away?
-a few crazy days at work. Enough said.
-and now, some much-needed down time for a few days. Yay!!
The title of this note came from the end of the book. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I will let you read the last two sentences. Plus I think I just like them because it’s about water 🙂
As I hit the water I felt the trickle of round bubbles of laughter fizzing past my face.
Rising.
