Last night was a big night in this journey – for two important reasons! First off, I recieved my FIRST donations! I am now $45 dollars closer to meeting that first deadline at the end of next month. And it mainly came through a new friend. I am too blessed by friends; too blessed by God. Just too, too blessed!
Second, I finally had the opportunity to tell my church family about the World Race. There have been other times like this: the night I told my parents, the phone calls I made to my really good friends, and last Monday with my life group. Last night wasn’t the last time I will share the big news. I’m sending out letters and facebook posts this week. I’m still praying about the best way to tell my older siblings. And in a few short weeks, I’ll be sitting down with my youth girls to tell them.
But last night was a BIG night. It was the first time I’ve told that large of a group about the coming year; it was the first time a majority of my friends were hearing about this crazy thing God is doing. Towards the end of service and nearing the time when I knew Paul (our Impact coordinator) would call me up on stage, I started to get really nervous. How was I going to get it all out? How was I going to word it all so that they’d see the beauty of His plan? What if they didn’t approve? What if they didn’t understand? What if they thought I was crazy? In that moment, God used my dear friend Kelli and my life group leader Ryan to put me at ease (sort of) by giving me ridiculous smiles and encouraging words. As I took the stage and looked out at the people who had become my family in just one short year, I was overwhelmed. They don’t know this, but I almost started crying out of joy. Look at what He had done… how could I be nervous? God brought me to Impact at a time when I needed fellowship and community the most. This past year, He has used these people, these friends, this family to challenge, strengthen, and encrouage me in a way that He has used to lead me to this place. To this beautiful place.
Even though I was a little more calm, I still stumbled through the words a bit, and afterwards Paul did something I wasn’t expecting to happen for a few more months – he called the group, my family, up to pray for me.
(11months without this gorup is going to be really hard, more than I can say.)
This unforseen family continues to bless me in ways I never really see coming. From that first night last July, God’s done so many things through them that I never anticipated. Things I never expected. The beauty of the unforseen has astounded me. And as I continue on this journey to launch and then the Race, I know that unforseen blessings will continue to arise. Unforseen hardships will block my path for a time, until I have learned all I can from them and God moves them. The past few weeks have proven that unforseen things are going to be a trend over the next thirteen to fourteen months. Guess I better get used to the beauty of it all.
In His Grip,
Rhonda
