Today is World Race Day!!
To celebrate, I want to choose 11 moments…out of a million…that have blessed me in this journey…as a thank-you to friends and family…and as a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
Numero Uno
When I started brain-storming for sharing some moments today, one of the first memories I got was a couple weeks after I joined the World Race. My first financial deadline was coming up, and I had been allowing myself to worry and feel defeated most of that week…
The following Sunday, God provided above and beyond what I expected or imagined…more than covering my first deadline in a day.
One of my best friends handed me some cash he had raised to support me and I was surprised and humbled by the amount…I exclaimed how God had provided that day…and started crying. (typical 🙂 )
He looked at me and said…
“I never doubted for a minute…”
So thankful for people around me who will stand in that faith…when I am weak in my own.
Numero Dos
For those who don’t know, originally, i signed up for Route 2 and was part of Z squad. God led me to change routes, but the struggle in deciding was difficult…
One morning I was seeking God’s face about it, and believed that I just might need to switch…in my mind, i was thinking i NEED to pick the right route or God will be disappointed..and the whole WR trip will be ruined…I prayed with my mom about it, and she quietly spoke truth over me…
“Maybe your willingness to go is more important than where you go.”
it was such a simple statement but I needed it at that moment…and it was confirmed by God’s gentle voice saying, “Look deeper, my daughter. I want your heart to trust mine.”
Obviously, I switched to A Squad and Route 3. 🙂 I haven’t regretted it!
Thankful for people, like my mom, who speak truth into difficult situations when I am muddled by emotions.
Numero Tres
A lot of family on my dad’s side don’t live local, so I don’t often get to see them. But thankfully, that hasn’t stopped us from being able to communicate and connect.
A special memory I have is praying and sharing with my aunt through many phone conversations and a weekend visit.
sitting in the living room…in my tent, on my sleeping pad… 🙂 praying through some wounds, taking back spiritual ground, crying and giggling into the late night hours…
so thankful for these simple moments of community, accountability, and learning from “older” women that have greatly impacted my life. 🙂
Numero Cuatro
I walked in the door, and this precious, joyful little face with a body full of energy, comes bounding up to me…
“Jess, we forgot to put this in the offering at church!” she giggled and smiled…
and handed me a dollar bill. It felt like a million. 🙂
Numero Cinco
I am thankful for moments of laughter. the kind that make your tummy sore. the kind that sound ridiculous and only make you laugh more. the quiet, gentle ones that are like a breath of fresh air and remind me that life is still good. and the ones that no one else is supposed to hear because it’s completely inappropriate to be laughing!
Numero Cinco is dedicated to my sisters. that is all. 🙂
Numero Seis
Random money gifts, cards, verses, texts…have all been such a blessing. There are so many…I can’t pick out it just one…
Many of them have spoken truth during times of doubt…many of them have confirmed God’s working in my heart….many of them have lifted my shoulders and head to stop looking at myself and look to Jesus.
Thankful for the little things. <3
Numero Siete
So thankful for moments of prayer. Scheduled or unscheduled. in a group or with one friend. Anywhere. anytime.
Humbled by the prayers of so many…blessed with the privilege to intercede for others.
Numero Ocho
Last week, I had the privilege to share some about training camp with one of my aunts (yes, i have been blessed with many of them!). I shared some questions and thoughts that I have about the Holy Spirit…and various experiences from Training Camp.
During the conversation, she encouraged me not to put people on a pedestal because of the evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
“Jess, people are people. and those God is using will still disappoint you sometimes. Don’t look to them. Look to God.”
She prayed over me, and I know the Holy Spirit spoke through her because she spoke into almost everything I was wrestling with. and I hadn’t told her.
Thankful for the serious insight and advice from those who have walked through similar experiences.
Numero Nueve
People who know me know that I am not naturally a good packer. or camper. or…traveller. 😛 And while this is lacking in spiritual inspiration, it must be said!
Thanks to all those who gave suggestions, let me borrow backpacks, helped me figure out packing (repeatedly!), gave any tips that they have had, and even whispered up some prayers begging God for mercy to endure this craziness. 🙂
it has not gone unnoticed.
Numero Diez
I am thankful for the privilege to be broken. and to hurt with others who are broken. sometimes we are strong for each other…and sometimes we are all a mess…but we hurt together.
thankful for the heart-aching, heart-breaking, sweet, vulnerable, raw moments.
Numero Once
Today I celebrate YOU!!!!
You matter. You can and do make a difference. Your story is worth being heard.
You are loved by God. deeply. You have many gifts. You are irreplaceable.
Thank you. from the bottom of my heart.
May God bless you ten-fold!!
[Make that 11-fold… ;)]
Feel free to share how God has been working in your life. I’d love to hear your story!
