It’s strange to be sitting in a Greek hamburger joint and also be on the World Race.
And yet, this is what I was doing just the other day (quite happily eating a burger with feta cheese on it, I’d like to add).
But then the non-ministry days just started to pile up and really get on my nerves! I was tired, but mostly tired of not feeling like I was doing anything.
I know that we all need to take time to rest or we’ll get burnt out and not be able to minister as effectively. I know it. But I could not shake the feeling that I stole this tourist time away from the Race. After 3 weeks of ministry, it was jarring to go nearly 2 weeks without it, due to long travel days (we hit 5 countries in one 24 hour period), our fantastic debrief, and a thorough orientation at our Romanian ministry.
I didn’t understand at first, and was getting really frustrated by the amount of sightseeing we were doing (and to be honest, I’m still a bit frustrated because our “prayer walks” through the city often seem more touristy than spiritual). I came into this Race trying to have zero expectations, but the one I did have was that I would not be having a year of tourism like I did when I lived in Spain. I want this year to be so much more than that.
But right now, it’s not.
When our squad was presented with the opportunity to spend a week in Greece, I immediately felt like I should go – which to me was weird. Most people, I imagine, would jump at that chance, but I have never felt a desire to visit Greece before.
Yesterday morning, I got my answer.
God wanted me to be with my team (all of whom are here) when I got the email saying my grandfather passed away.
I had known, somewhere deep in my bones, the day before. I woke up early (with the time difference, right about the time that he passed) and journeyed with half our squad to a beach about 2 hours outside of Thessaloniki. I felt listless and spent most of the day dozing. After a long, hot bus ride back, I had some very refreshing reading time. But right as I climbed into bed, I had an unsettling need to check my email.
When I couldn’t get a WiFi connection on my phone, I decided to put it off til morning. I wasn’t surprised to see one email at the top of my inbox.
Pepaw.
I said goodbye to my Pepaw two months ago, at peace with the knowledge that it would be the last time I ever saw him. But I know I was so much better equipped to process the finality of his death because I was well rested, both physically and mentally.
The theme of rest has continued over these past two days as well. Yesterday, we experienced rain for the first time in…a long time. My ministry group walked down to the White Tower, the symbol of Thessaloniki, hoping to do some singing and see where the Spirit led us. Because we intermittently got rained on, we spent our evening walking in pairs, talking to or praying for the people we passed.
Then today, I feel like I have seen pregnant women and people carrying babies all day long. Partway through the day, I had two thoughts about this. A) I really want to hold a baby, and B) this week is all about renewal.
Rest: it’s a renewal of our minds and bodies
Rain: it renews the earth and washes it clean
Babies: literally, they are a renewal of life (also they’re super cute)
So I want to encourage you, the lovely people who keep up with my travels, to look for your own symbols of renewal and take time out of your busy schedules to rest your souls, whether that’s reading a book during a rainstorm, or people watching while you relax at the beach, or something totally different.
And in memory of Peeps, who must surely be laughing and belting out a song in heaven right now, I hope y’all find some joy today.
