As I write this blog, I reflect back to the first day I committed my heart to doing The World Race. My palms were sweaty, my mind was racing through the vivid images that I had coveted on the pages of National Geographic, and my heart was brimming with joy at the possibility of swapping stories with people all over the world. My dream was finally coming to fruition, and God was granting me the desires of my heart — I had longed for this for years!
It didn’t take long before the lingering darkness that was hiding out in the crevices of my mind began making an unwelcome place for itself. The climate of my heart consisted of this fog for years so though it was unwelcome, it wasn’t foreign to me. It was the usual heaviness– doubt about finances, relationships, ability, etc. It was similar to the record of responses I’d heard on repeat when telling individuals that I was considering applying for The World Race.
To their defense there really wasn’t time for The World Race, let alone the finances it would take to get me there. The only realistic way I could picture my life was the 10 year plan sketched out in front of me on a career roadmap. Traveling was something I would do “one day”. It was an afterthought to the promising career staring me in the face. Not to mention I had student loan debt, a lease, a steady boyfriend, a great paying job, and a year left in school. My heart tugged, nevertheless, and here I sit.
I have had to learn to use discernment when that dark lingering fog pays me a visit. That fog renders me motionless when I let it. Rather than seek out alternative solutions, my nature is to wait until it passes. I can no longer do that, because I now understand that God has called me to greater things. He has called me to pursue his light, and grab his hand for comfort in those moments. In the same way that he has pulled me out of moments of sadness and shame, he has used other people to remind me of the good that He is doing in my life.
So, this is where we get to the photo above. 🙂 I know full well that in the lessons of love that God is teaching me, he is using many of you to shine His light into the difficult areas of my life. I would like to say that I no longer have doubt that The Lord will provide for the rest of The World Race, but that lingering fog still manages to break through sometimes. What I have full confidence in, however, is the incredible support system he has placed in my life for those moments. God not only pulls me out of the dark, but he confirms His strength and purpose for my life by following up with the love that you, my supporters, share with me every day.
I want to humbly thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in what God is doing in me, and being confident that I have purpose out here on the field. It amazes me that God is using me to bless the lives of others, especially when I can only see the blessings of others in my own life. He truly is a fabulous God, that has created fabulous children like you.
The fundraising process has taught me the importance of laying my life down at the cross, and trusting that The Lord will do His work. YOU have been a part of that lesson in my life with your donations, whether you realize it or not. 🙂
THANK YOU.
If there is anything that I can do to bless you as you have me, please let me know.
Email me prayer requests at [email protected].
I wish all of you a FABULOUS Thanksgiving Holiday to you and yours.
