So, it’s official. I leave home to go to Atlanta in 11 days and leave for India a few days after. It’s been absolutely crazy these past few months after training camp. I graduated from SMU, moved out of the sorority house, said goodbye to my friends from school, then it was Christmas. As if the holidays are not emotional enough, I’m about to leave the country for 11 months. When people ask me if I’m ready, I kind of just laugh… Overwhelmed is an understatement.
I’m a firm believer in the signs that God sends us, and I’m fully confident that this is the exact place that I am supposed to be in, but Lord, I’m scared. I’m scared and excited and anxious and every emotion in between. When I first was accepted for the Race and was talking to a World Race alumni, her words “you are going to have your up and down days” have been an absolute truth over the past few months. There have been many days where I am so excited that I’m finally going to fulfill the calling that God has placed on my heart many, many years ago. But there have also been many days where I cannot stop the flow of tears thinking about leaving everyone I love for 11 months. But within this extreme range of wild and crazy emotions, there has been one constant – God. He is with me in the joy, and He is with me in the sadness. He is with me through the anxiety, and He is with me in the still quiet moments of peace.
Lord God, during this Christmas season and this time of preparation, remind me that You are Emmanuel. You are “God with us” here and now, and You are “God with us” tomorrow and for eternity. Let this knowledge and awareness of Your constant presence, bring us peace and joy for the coming new year and coming season because in all my life and in every season, You are still God.
