I remember sitting on our old green couch with my knees tucked under my chin, sucking my finger, mesmerized at the giant box revealed within the armoire. As I watched the Lion King, little me fell completely in love with all the talking animals, silly songs, and colorful bugs. The burnt orange sunsets reflecting off my glossy eyes left me in awe. Taking the movie out of the VCR player, I dreamed of one day being in a place that beautiful. A place so full of life and love. A place where faith reigns and hope drives. I’m writing to you today to tell you I made it. I made it to that place. I made it to Harbuchulule, Ethiopia.
I’m living the life I used to dream about. A life where African kids with big bellies scream and run after vans. A life where women braid hair and make injera together while the little boys shepherd the donkeys to and from the local well for water. Some days I’m hauling jugs of water on donkeys while other days I’ll sit, drink coffee, and laugh with the women who take care of the orphans. This special land has blessed me with glimpses of what it would be like to live during Jesus’ time.
These past eight months, the Lord has taken me to heart-throbbing depths and hand-trembling heights. He has been gracious beyond measure with my flesh and faithful beyond understanding with His promises. During this season, my circumstances, character, and relationship with the Lord has looked far different than it has in the past. Amidst unfamiliar places I’ve experienced in this world as well as in my heart, I’m learning to trust and lean on the Lord’s unchanging character. He has taught me to cling onto His faithful promise to always provide for me in every season. And He has. I am the person I am today due to all my different seasons. And regardless if my circumstances were more favorable, the Lord would still have been faithful to make me who I am today. I don’t need a do-over; the Lord would have brought me to this point one way or another. And in the same way He has been faithful in my past, He will continue to be faithful in my future. I don’t need to worry about trivial, temporary decisions because the Lord is faithful to build me into the woman I am made to be no matter where I go or what I do.
Around 6:30 at night, the perfectly round sun dropped and turned into this vibrant orange color. The watercolor sky became a combination of every shade of blue. Just like that Lion King sunset, the sun radiated my vision and reflected off my big, brown eyes. As my face remained fixed to the mesmerizing sight, I was reminded of the Lord’s great faithfulness. Every night there is a sunset, regardless if I miss it because I’m inside or can’t see it because of the dark clouds. I can always trust in it’s presence, but sometimes my position restricts me from experiencing it. Some seasons it’s harder to see where the Lord’s faithful hand is or was, but that doesn’t deny the fact of His character. Just as the sun is consistent to set each night, so is my Father faithful to provide and love me.
So, here’s to the last month, trusting in Christ’s faithfulness and meeting Him in His pursuit for me.
