I’m taken back to a night long ago–a night on the swings with someone I’ll never see again. We prayed and we cried for broken hearts, our own and those in the trailer down the road. I had no idea everything would change. I had no idea that my best friend would be taken from me. I had no idea that I would be left alone.
I’ve learned so much since that night, since bodies were forced to the ground, heads split open. I’ve learned that loneliness is beautiful when we run to Jesus.
I was reminded of this truth during training camp–the truth that God puts the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6).
Let me explain.
Despite there being over 200 wonderful people at training camp, throughout the week, I struggled with feelings of loneliness. I have to admit, the first few days of camp were really difficult for me, because I felt like an outsider, felt like everyone else knew each other. Some of these feelings were probably at least half-way valid, because after all, I did arrive two days late due to graduation activities.
I’m glad to say that by the end of the week, I was finally beginning to feel like I had a place on my squad, an important role to play. However, before I expound, I must tell how the Lord met me in my loneliness, brought beauty, and finally, put his lonely daughter into a family.
If I could sum up training camp in one sentence, I would say it was just me and my father, alone, him showing me love that I’ve never known–that I was too afraid to know. Yes, in that pavilion full of people, it was me, alone, being romanced, captivated, drawn in by my father. That is where the beauty came, when Jesus met me in my loneliness and made it something to be cherished. I began to feel secure despite my feelings of not belonging. And finally, the Lord placed me in a family, my beautiful team of all women (Warriors of Light).
I am so excited to see what the Lord does through my family and me in the next several months. I already love them dearly and am so thankful for the unique part of God’s heart that each of them hold. We truly are warriors of light, fighting for Jesus like only women can. 🙂 Below is a photo of us at Steak n Shake during our afternoon out on the town.
Also, just to give an update on fundraising, I am $8,000 from being fully funded! Please prayerfully consider supporting me in this journey!
