This month I experienced one of the hardest and most painful goodbyes of my race so far, including the goodbyes I said to friends and family before I left. My heart hasn’t felt so much sadness in awhile. As much as it hurts, I am actually so grateful to be experiencing these emotions. Why? Because for the first time in my life, I loved and lived with an open heart.
I’ve seen the pain and sadness of goodbyes on this race through my teammates from other months. I knew that it was part of the deal. But for the first time ever, I didn’t let the fear of hurt stop me. I opened my heart up to these incredible people and allowed them to love me and I didn’t hesitate to love them in return. Because of this I got to know them, I laughed with them, and I made unforgettable memories with them. I let them into my life and into my heart and it was amazing! I truly love these people with everything in me. They are the most genuine, loving, kind-hearted people I have ever met and I have made friendships with them that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life.
I will probably cry (again) and my heart will break as we drive away from Quito, but I’m taking something worth so much more than that with me. By God’s grace I have finally experienced the beauty and strength of an open heart! I have experienced love for people in a way I never knew possible. I’m so thankful for all God has done in me and I can’t wait to see where this open heart takes me next. I know there will be some hurt and sadness involved, but I also know there will be an abundance of love and life like I’ve never experienced before and that makes everything I’ve been through and will go through worth it.
Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
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