London.
Bizarre. Unexpected.
This definitely isn’t what I expected from life on the World Race.
Me sitting in a window seat of a cafe enjoying the much-needed warmth of my cappuccino
I’m sitting in a quiet little cafe in a cozy chair with my hands wrapped tightly around my coffee mug allowing its warmth to spread to my hands. I have traded out my typical World Race attire (skirt, t-shirt, and chacos) for layers of wintery clothes, hat, scarf, and coat. I exchanged third-world poverty for first-world comfort. It’s a very odd place to be a World Racer.
I’ll admit that when I first heard that our route was being changed to include a month in London, I watched as my squadmates jumped for joy, but my heart sank. AFRICA. That is what this month was “supposed” to bring. I love Africa. I have been waiting 2 1/2 years to return to the continent that first captured my heart. Christmas was supposed to be parties with Swazi orphans. I was so disappointed.
As we were flying into London, I sat on the plane chatting with Jesus about my disappointment and reading The Shack. Something I read changed my perspective. It talks about exchanging our expectations for a life lived in expectancy. Expectancy is unpredictable, alive, and invites relationship. Expectations are set, rigid, and bring independence. (I don’t know if this makes sense just typing it… you should read The Shack– whether or not you agree, it’s worth reading and it will make you think about God in new ways).
Anyway, here is what I do know… I am in relationship with a God who is good- always and completely. He loves me more than I can imagine, and delights in lavishing love upon His children. If I hold on to those truths first and foremost, then it frees me from my expectations. I don’t need for my life to meet up to a particular set of expectations. I can live in expectancy that anything my God places in my life will be filled with His goodness and love. I can live in expectancy of beautiful unexpected gifts from Him. So I am choosing expectancy over expectations.
God changed our route. He surprised us with London. He gives good gifts. Therefore, London will be amazing! I’m excited to see what Jesus has in store for us while we are here.
Katie & I exploring the streets of London (or at least Harpenden) on our first day here
*More to come soon on our ministry and how the Lord is working here in London.
