A story of God‘s faithfulness (and sweet humor) …
I remember it like it was yesterday- the days of sitting in the fluorescent lights, trying to pay attention to my teacher, dozing off, daydreaming about all the cool places and people that exist in the world. I’d often screenshot pictures of mountains and beaches and villages just to scroll through during my day to remind myself that my whole life wouldn’t be consumed by a classroom. One night, before finals, I jokingly (but totally genuinely) center to my mom, “UGH, I just wanna go play my ukulele in the mountains!” We laughed and she hugged me and then reminded me to focus. Hahah…
I always knew that life with Jesus is an adventure; that sometimes it requires scary steps of surrender and obedience. What I didn’t realize is that in that process, He is preparing so many beautiful blessings to remind us of His provision and faithfulness.
It was a few weeks into Swaziland and I was feeling overwhelmed for whatever reason, probably homesick or irritated by all the dirt on my feet or something. I went and grabbed my guitalele (it’s a beautiful hybrid of an instrument) and laid in my hammock, facing the mountain, and began to worship. Then I realized what I was doing… I WAS PLAYING MY GUITALELE IN THE MOUNTAINS! I had no due dates, no plans, no commitments, nothing to study for; I was just straight chillin! I could hear God saying, “I gave you this desire! I had this moment planned for you all along!” How SWEET is Jesus? He is such a gentleman! He gives the best gifts. He heard everything, owes me nothing, and blesses me anyway.
My whole experience in Swaziland was one of God’s faithfulness. All those days that I felt called to up and leave- BAM. There I was in the African bush. All those days I wanted to be free from worries and plans and busyness- BAM. There I was in my hammock just looking at the sky and feeling the wind. All those days I just wanted to sing and write and paint- BAM, there I was writing music and painting with my best friends in the sunshine. All those days I so badly craved a genuine, passionate community of Christ-followers- BAM. There I was with 45 people who are absolutely head-over heels in love with Jesus, just loving, laughing, and being stupid and crazy with me.
In Swaziland, Jesus taught me that He desires to bless me with these seasons. That in my longing, He is satisfaction. In my frustration, He is peace. In my doubt, He is promise. In my suffering, He is redemption. In my mundane, He is adventure. In my fatigue, He is rest. In my boredom, He is JOY.
HE IS FAITHFUL. He gives WONDERFUL gifts! Jesus, thank you for your grace. I don’t deserve you. Thank you for being so funny to actually send me to the mountains with my ukulele. You are sovereign. I surrender to you and I rejoice over the life I get to spend with you!
Your daughter,
Anna
