A week ago today I was fortunate enough to spend my 26th birthday in sunny Southern California with one of my best friends. Looking back on my first 25 years, I am overwhelmed with how blessed my life has been. I have been so lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing people in my life to constantly encourage me. I have been provided opportunities to go to school, to study abroad, to have sweet internships, to live on both coasts, to have nice things, to travel. I’ve pretty much been given everything I’ve ever wanted. Not that I haven’t worked hard, but overall my life has been EASY. This is one of things that both excites me and makes me nervous about life on the World Race.
Life is not going to be easy on the race. My heart will be broken time and time again. I will see extreme poverty I never knew existed. I will have to say goodbye at least 11 times, and I’m terrible at goodbyes. I will be put in uncomfortable situations. I will struggle with homesickness. I will probably get sick. I will wear the same clothes days on end, use squatty potties and take bucket showers, and eat disgusting food. I will live on less than $4 a day.
But I know it will be good for me. I know it’s what I NEED. I know the good times will outweigh the bad. I know the Lord will use the race to open my eyes, and mold me into the person He wants me to be. Freely I’ve received, so freely I must give.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
-Luke 12:48
