Breathe.
Its all not as grand and scary and altruistic and overwhelming
as it sounds.
Its raw and real and full of God’s love.
That much I can promise… the rest is gonna change everyday.
Nothing will be like you read it would. Some days will be just like you
imagined but most days (if you allow
them to) will blow your socks off and surprise
the hell out of you.
You’ll wake up in a foreign place and do you your morning
routine that includes the first 3 questions of the day to reorient yourself
“What country am I in? Who’s sleeping next to me? What day is it?”
Then you take a deep breath and realize this is just another
day on your crazy love adventure with your creator around the globe. No biggie.
With all of that said- I always promised myself that when I
finally got on the race I would write the newbie’s a vet’s manual (not like it
means anything- cuz you’ll probably have a completely different race- when they
say die to your expectations, just do it. You’ll thank them later. Eventually.)
But I just felt it my moral obligation to at least attempt tipping you off to a
few tricks we’ve picked up on as weve traveled.
Here’s part one:
Thing’s I will never take for granted again:
Having Toilet paper, more less being able to flush it
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Traffic laws that enforce my safety.
Personal space- to cry, freak out, breath, ect…
Free High Speed Wifi
Knowing where I will sleep next week.
A bed with a pillow and comforter
An electrical outlet I don’t have to share with 10 other people.
A dryer to reshape my clothes into their original form
Fluffy, yummy smelling towels after a hot shower or long bath
A good Hefenweizen
Free refills- really, free anything.
Chips and salsa, pickles, and REAL coffee (odd I know, staples
in my life none the less)
Driving on the 101 in SiSi the scion blaring my music with no
destination.
My back porch and my best friends.
Everyone’s list will be different- this is just my quirky
compilation of unnecessary luxuries I have craved in moments of much needed
comfort. Make your list, soak it up now and then surrender em. God will surprise you anyways and give you things you thought you wouldn’t see for a year.
This year will change your life, but it will be completely
different then your fantasizing in your head. It will be full of God’s glory,
messy converstaions, thrilling adventure, exhausting days, and the sobering
reality of all your short comings being reflected in real community.
Go release your expectations like they told you and lay down
in the throne room for a while. Go let Him love on you and sing over you.
That’s
the only preparation you need this year.
Lay down.
Your pride. Your will. Your desires. Your life. Your rights.
let your Dad love you.
