Do you ever feel like when you wake up in the morning, you expect that your day is going to go one way because of how you feel or what you choose to do?
If that is you, then please keep reading to see how my day went a complete 180 from feeling overwhelmed to something refreshing.
I pretty much summed up my day on how I was starting my morning. I was confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed. I am sure you are all wondering why on earth I would feel this way. I am in Guatemala and pursuing God's plan for my life and giving so much of His love to those who need it. There is no reason for me not to be happy.
On this day, I felt overwhelmed wondering what my assignment was, what our team assignment was, and where can I be used. I was late for my team again, so I just figured I would go with the flow, act like I knew what was going on, and make the choice to be there for my team. I love my team. I hope they know that…
As we set off to go to our ministry site up in the mountains, I met a man named Manu. He was a painter in America for years, but is now a taxi driver for a local mountain town called Patzibal. He also owns a Toyota that makes my Ram look like a wagon. Manu is a man filled with so much joy even when things go wrong, like a flat tire or someone backing in to his truck. When those things happen he's like, "No problem", along with a smile from ear to ear. He just chooses joy through it all.
Manu and myself
Later that day I was speaking with Manu and yes, he speaks English. He was talking about his family. He has a young boy named Jason and in Spanish it's pronounced as Yason. (They don't pronounce the J's, but pronounce them as Y's.) We passed his house, and out came this young boy waving to us. I asked "Is that him?" I asked him to pull over, and as I was approaching Jason, I was expecting him to be shy and taken aback. I was never expecting what happened next and how it messed me up all inside. He gave me the biggest hug and smile! I am not sure what happened in that moment, but I felt loved. In the past when I entered a church or a room, I wrestled with the thought that I was not accepted and that people could pick up on messes I have been involved with. Here is a five year old little boy who could have easily sensed something about me and turned a shoulder to me. Instead, when Jason opened his arms and hugged me, I felt accepted. I felt like now when I enter a room, Jesus gives me the forgiveness and confidence I well deserve. I don't need to feel or concern myself with what people pick up on or what insecurities may try to attack me.
Me and Jason
Jesus used a little boy name Jason to show me see how he is free. It's like Jesus was telling me that where little Jason wanders, He wants me to be free wherever I wander.
I never expected that my day would turn out the way it did.
