I’m sitting here on the top bunk of the cutest bunk beds at the cutest hostel that ever could have existed reflecting over our time in Azerbaijan. My squad is all together again, and we have just met back up from various, countries and cities to come together for our third debrief of the Race.
So last week, I rolled out of bed after hitting a couple snoozes and had grabbed a hot bowl of oatmeal and cup of coffee. Sitting there on the floor I was trying to spend some time with the Lord before the day got rolling and my mind was going to fundraising, replying to that email, and planning out the day, when I just felt such a grounding and my thoughts came to a pause. Psalm 131:2 came back to me which is such a beautiful passage about coming to the Lord like a weaned child with its mother–essentially the idea of coming to the Lord just to be with Him out of relationship, not necessarily needing anything. With that, my soul was quiet and I was just sitting there with the Father.
Seemingly out of nowhere, I asked God to give me a physical representation of His love that day. I was thinking about how God has used people in my life that have loved me outrageously and so tenderly in away that was just so from God. I mean it was from them, but it was from God, if you know what I mean. Anyways, it was kind of funny and I even almost laughed, but then I asked Him to make it noticeable or obvious to me when it happened. How many times have I been loved so well and never thought to thank the Lord or notice His hand in it! Then I prayed a bit more and rushed out there to meet with my team at 9:30 for prayer. *Note: we have been doing 3 pushups all together every time someone is late to the morning meeting haha
Valerie was running team-time that day and in the morning the plan was to go to our favorite coffee spot and spend an hour as a team doing blogging and fundraising stuff before ministry in the afternoon. It is truly so helpful to blog as a group; the ideas just seem to flow so much easier. On the way there we ended up having to run back to the apartment and split up our little group. After a muddy “shortcut” and some good conversation, Hannah and I rolled up to the coffee shop and there was a bundle of daisies on the table in front of Allison. I love flowers, so they instantly perked my interest. Then Allison just gave them to me! I was blown away and asked her if there was a reason and she just said she was walking by a shop and had to stop, turn around, and buy the flowers–just something God put on her heart that day.
I said thank you with much glee sat down and started my stuff and then it hit me! I had literally asked the Lord for a physical expression of His love that day, maybe an hour prior and this was it. I tease a lot and say flowers are my love language, but let’s be real there is some truth there. I love to get people flowers, and God has used them so many times on the Race to bless others and connect with the women we meet. Anyways, I have never just received flowers for no reason and daisies are literally one of my favorite flowers. Thinking back, I realized she literally said they were from the Lord’s prompting on her heart! He truly answered both of my prayers.
What!? It seems so small and so insignificant, but it was truly such a powerful moment for me that morning. Isn’t it so beautiful that we can ask the Father anything? And on the flip-side, isn’t it so beautiful to be used by Him to bless someone else simply by listening and responding in obedience? You never know how He will use your “yes” and it was incredible to be on the receiving end of such a beautiful gift.
THANK YOU so much for your prayers and encouragements! I have officially broken into the one thousands for my fundraising and only have $1,900ish left to go. All together many of you have been a part of helping me raise over $1,000 last month!! I would love prayers right now over my squad as we are coming back together in community and debriefing our experiences since early December together. Everyone has stories and I would love prayers just for rest and refueling. I would also love to invite you to pray over the ministries and connections we have made here in Azerbaijan! This has been one of my favorite months and God has opened up so many beautiful opportunities to us. Thank you for joining with me in this journey.
Blessings,
Bre
