If I have learned anything over the past 6 months it would be that you cannot hold on to anything too tightly.
This month I had to say good-bye to someone that I love and cherish deeply. My dear teammate Trish has been called to finish her race with us so that she can continue it in the States.
Almost two months ago Trish felt God calling her to go back to the states, she did not understand where this was coming from so she put the feeling aside. Then at the beginning of this past month She felt God pulling on her heart again so she came before our team and asked all of us to be praying for her.
Honestly, I am very cynical towards people who choose to leave the race early on their own accord. I know things can be very situational, but my feeling is; if God has called you onto this race then you should stay. So when Trish asked us to join her in prayer, I gladly did so because I know that Trish would not choose to just up and leave. Trish is one of those people that is very determined and when God calls her to go… She goes. But I was still a little skeptical so my prayers basically consisted of me saying “ok God, Trish is feeling you calling her home… I don’t really know about this… But if its of you change my heart and put a peace in me that this is your will for her.”
A few days later I had an overwhelming peace and I knew in my heart that it was God’s will that she should go home.
From that point on I was no longer cynical, or questioning what God was calling her into; instead I was confident alongside her. I also come to the realization that in several ways this was Trish’s “Jonah Moment”. God was clearly calling her to make the hard choice to trust Him and leave the race early. She, and the rest of our team knew that if she got on the plane to Africa with us she would be like Jonah when he went to Tarshish instead of Nineveh.
I am incredibly sad to see her go and to not be able to finish this race with her. But I could not be more proud of her for making the hard choice to follow God’s call and head back home.
She has taught me so much this year through the ways that she seeks and follows God, but never as much as when she put her faith to the test and stepped on that flight home.
I love you SO much Trish Ann and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you. I know he is going to bless you in some incredible ways because of your faith.
Keep seeking and Following Him!
