Lessons I’m Learning from Emilie’s World Race
Laura Blomberg, June 13, 2019
Emilie is our baby girl, the youngest of our five children. She turns 24 years old this week while on the other side of the world in Rwanda, Africa. This week also marks the half way point in her year on mission with the World Race.
We know that God is working through Emilie as she joins His Kingdom work around the globe. He is also working in her, as her faith grows deeper still, as she experiences God’s faithfulness and power in new ways, as God continues to reveal to Emilie her identity in Him and the plans He has for her life.
This year is also one of growth for us. There are two truths in particular that God has been growing in my life through Emilie’s World Race. These truths I know and believe, but they are growing deeper and stronger as I put them into practice every day.
Trust. I can trust God with Emilie’s life, with her safety, with her well-being. I can trust God to take care of her, provide for her, protect her and bless her, today and every day that follows. As parents, we want to be there for our kids, to fix what is broken, no matter how old they are. However, God’s love for my kids is infinitely bigger, deeper, higher, and more perfect than my love. He never fumbles around unsure what to say or do. God knows the heart of our kids. He knows beyond the shadow of a doubt what is best for them. And He has the power to work good for them through any and every situation. I choose to trust Him.
“I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
Bigger Purpose. Our kids are not given to us simply for our own good, for the love and joy they bring into our lives. As blessed as we are by them, God has even greater purposes for their lives. Emilie has been a blessing and a miracle gift to our family since her birth. Today, she is not only my precious and thoughtful daughter, but a treasured and true friend. And as much as I would selfishly wish to keep my kids close, I know God will use their lives to touch others beyond my reach. Like arrows extend the reach of a warrior, so our kids spread the Kingdom to people and places beyond our reach … if we let them fly.
“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons (and daughters) born in one’s youth.” Psalm 127:4
Twenty-four years after our youngest child was born, God is still using our kids to teach us and to grow our faith. What a beautiful gift from the hand of our Perfect Heavenly Father!
