On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Team Furious Love walks through their Malaysian neighborhood. There is no set schedule to this walk- we let the Holy Spirit lead us.
However, this morning I was selfish and tired. Not too mention, it was also incredibly hot outside. I was secretly wishing that it would be a fast walk- 20 minutes max. I just wanted to be done with it, and quickly head to lunch at the local restaraunt.
But God had other plans.
Malaysians are incredibly nice people. Often, when they see white people wandering around in the hot sun, they like to invite us in for a drink. For the first few minutes of our walk, I kept hoping that people would be tucked away in the comforts of their Air Con homes and not notice the foreigners walking by. Before even reaching the area of homes we are usually invited into, a middle aged woman called out to us from her home. She introduced herself as Sara. Sara is a Hindu Indian Malaysian who speaks english very well. (She also is missing one of her front teeth.)
Sara invited us and offered us 100 Plus (a Malay soda) and coke. She introduced to her daughter, and her husband, Sam. It turns out that Sam is a Christian. Sam was on his way out though, so all we had a chance to say to him was "Hello".
Sara is one of those women who loves people. She loves to talk with them and share stories. She is also incredibly feisty. She told us that although she is retired, she likes politics and volunteers often.
When we shared with Sara that we had walked by her home several times before, she was so surprised. She was so certain that she would've seen us, but it wasn't until today that the Lord allowed us to meet her.
After setting up a lunch date for next week, we set off from her house. Once again, I found myself wanting to finish the walk as fast as possible. Ahead of us, we saw our friend, Luis, who is the security guard at a large private Chinese school. We have walked by this school on every single one of our walks, and on every single walk we have stopped and talked to Luis. But today, the Lord had more. As we stood talking to Luis, one of the teachers began to drive out of the school. He stopped his car and introduced himself to us and asked if we would like a tour.
I couldn't help but think, "Lord, you have got to be kidding me. Out of all the days, you choose today? Really?"
After a 20 minute tour, we said our goodbyes and continued our usual route, despite my quiet protests. I so desperately wanted to cut the walk short and head home. But we kept walking, and said quick hello to several of our new friends who we have met over the past two weeks.
So I am now finally sitting at the restaraunt, on my computer, drinking a strawberry pineapple smoothie. Is it as wonderful as I had imagined? Nope.
That's the truth though. Nothing we selfishly want for ourselves is as good as what the Lord wants for us. Even though we may not always like the process, what the Lord has to offer is so much better.
One major thing that I am learning on the race? That God loves me so much that He will bring through processes, even if those processes frustrate the heck out of me. Even if I scream and yell at God because I don't understand what He is doing. He brings me through them anyways, because He knows the outcome. He knows how much better off I will be after going through the process. God doesn't just want whats good for me. He wants to bring me to my best. He wants to bring me to who He has created me to be.
So I have two choices.
1) I can either complain and get upset and angry.
2) Or I can press in.
It isn't just a one time choice though. I have to make that choice every day. And I'll be totally honest, I too often choose the first option. But the Lord is faithful and He is patient. And today is not over yet.
