For the Parents
The World Race is something that impacts and inspires so many different people. The most obvious, being the racer, the person who goes on this insanely smart adventure. Second the ministries that we go out and impact. Providing our whole beings for God to work with and use for 11 months. Knowing that after the 11 months….the race will never end until we arrive in heaven. Third would be the parents of the racers. They are the supporters, and potentially the hardest part of the race. Leaving them for 11 months is as hard as it sounds. They are prayer warriors for there sweetie or precious son who is out on the field, they’re extremely needed.
Parents, your racer feels those prayers and it DOES make an impact.
Personally, I have failed to check in back home. Communication on my part has been a major struggle. There is always an intention to reach out back home but life on the field is utter chaos. Beautiful chaos that makes it abundantly clear that God is everywhere.
There has been hundreds of blogs just from F Squad about what it has been like on the field, but…..what has it been like for our parents back home?
I asked my dad and mom to answer on e simple question….Tell me something about what it has been like since your child has left for the Race? I offered no specific guidelines, just asked and awaited a response.
The answers brought tears to my eyes knowing that as much as God is changing my heart on the field He is also working back in the small town of Shakopee Minnesota. And answering prayers for my family in California. By me leaving it has brought my family so much.
Below are there responses…
Papa Bear (Dad)-
Since my son Breier has been gone on the great race, so have I. I’m not as involved as he is, but where ever he goes a piece of me goes with him. He is not only my son, he is my best friend. I know crazy, right, but that’s just the way it worked out, thank you Jesus.
The biggest change to our relationship is now we communicate. The World Race is something Breier wanted with a passion. As far as dealing with the separation I try to focus on the positive aspect of this chapter of his life. No matter how good or bad something may seem, there is always a great opportunity in there somewhere. Breier and I have closed the distance between us with messages, shared photographs, and FaceTime. This is a new way of relating to him, though we have been sharing photographs for years, much to his embarrassment. I have found the parent portal is great as well. It keeps me up to date with other teams and I find comfort in the shared experiences of other parents. Friends are a true gift. I find talking to friends and loved ones about my racer is a great comfort. They understand me, are there to listen to me ramble about whatever. Thanks to your Aunts and Uncles for always asking about you and following your journey on facebook.
Mama Bear (Mom)-
Thoughts came to heart about your year long journey . . These are things the Lord has brought up to me, to share with you. We’ve talked only once, but that convo was very telling, in a good way.
FREEDOM to serve and move forward. . Has been given to you, you’ve been released to move forward, away from, those situations, past and present, and people who may have had a hold on your heart and spirit. . . Your mind is now able to focus completely on the plans and path the Lord has set before you.
You see, the Lord has a way of helping us to ” let go ” of those things, situations and people where there’s no use / good reason to hang on to. To release them to the loving care of the Lord, is not only the healthy and best choice to make, but best of all, it brings freedom to the one who has ” let go ” AND allows and gives the Lord full control of the situation and that persons life. Brings healing and freedom to both.
Gives a deeper FAITH to those who have “let go” and watch and see God work in that person’s life.
ITS YOUR TIME to let go and grab ahold of/make room for everything Gods has for you.
You have been and are a special part of our family. Always have been and always will be. But, it’s a new season for you son, shake off what is not yours to care for and concerns to carry. It’s ok. It’s God’s will for you to do so. You can now serve Him with complete freedom and dedication. Go fourth my one and only son, the Lord has much in store for you.
Love and prayers always
DEAR PARENTS-
I wanna tell all the parents that are potentially reading this, send your racer a message about how him/her is impacting your family back home. Even if your don‘t have a child on the race, send them a message. We need it. It’s incredibly hard to be away for so long but its incredibly worth it to allow God to work in our families back home. Let your racer know, because the tears that came from joy for my family, is something they will need to finish the race strong.
Viewing these next three months, not as the last three of the Race, but rather the first three months of the rest of our lives!!
