Time flies…at warp speed. Before I knew it, it was almost time to launch (mental/spiritual preparation to leave the States) for the World Race in Chicago. Unfortunately, the hard lessons learned from NOT being prepared for training camp carried into launch.
What went wrong? (Of course, you would ask.)
- Packed at the last minute (and, like an amateur…items confiscated at the Charlotte airport)
- My outfits already look like clown clothes.
- Many recommended items forgotten (hat, scarf, pajamas, jogging pants, etc)
- I exceeded the 50lb weight requirement.
- $150 in overweight luggage fees and to check a second bag (Charlotte airport)
- $83 to FedEx items back home from Chicago (To get underweight, I started with the 20lb military tent that worked so well to protect me from the rain and wind during training camp. “Separation anxiety” is the answer to your question.)
Poor use of time? I hope you’d agree that time for family/friends, doctor’s visits, fundraising, moving, shopping, traveling to Atlanta to replace a lost passport, and finishing freelance projects were necessities. There is one area for debate.
Quick Recap: After my employer ended my teaching assignment two months earlier than I planned, I applied for several jobs. A couple of temp jobs were offered. I accepted both. I ended up working up to a few days before launch.
I viewed the jobs as a blessing from God as a way to earn money to buy things for the trip. My mother disagreed, she said I was relying on my own effort and not putting enough faith in God to provide what’s needed. There lies the debate.
What side are you on?
Hindsight is 20/20. Looking back at the list of “wrongs”, untold confusion caused, and putting myself at -$233, my Mother is correct. I still struggle with fully believing all things related to this trip will be provided. From time to time, I forget nothing is impossible for God. From now on, I will praise Him advance for meeting my financial, food, clothing, and shelter needs. I did my homework and here are a few Bible verses I found on faith.
Hebrew 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Corinthians 2:5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ.
Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith
