I never realised how much I’ve forgotten the excitement, refreshment and joy of reuniting with family. Living with my parents my whole life and taking six weeks off every year to go on vacation, the excitement of reuniting with family was lost. When I left home Jan 30th, 2013 and first heard there would be a Parent Ministry month at Training camp, I knew for sure that I would be seeing my family during the race. I was a little excited about it as it would have been a bit over a year since I last saw them, however finding out later how expensive it would be for them to see me on that trip, it was ok because I knew I would see them again at the end of the year.
Seeing some of my squad mates catch-up with their families three months ago and now being away for fifteen months, I never expected to have the chance to bump into my family. But God is so good and somehow managed to change our route so our squad could spend a few days in Hong Kong before getting our VISA’s to China.
The incredible thing about being in this particular country is that my sister and quite a few of my relatives lived there and it feels like home because I could understand the language. The amazing thing about that particular weekend was that my dad, grandma and some others relatives was arriving in HK then and it was two weeks before my sister would be leaving that country to go and live in Germany. It was perfectly timed and definitely orchestrated by God! I got to hang and stay with my sister and dad for those five days. I got to catch-up with my relatives from my dad’s side and enjoy a banquet dinner with them. My sister and I got to celebrate my dad’s birthday together, in person after missing it two weeks earlier AND I got to have dinner and celebrate some early birthdays and Mother’s Day with my grandma and relatives from my mum’s side. What more could I have asked for (besides seeing my mum) especially when I didn’t expect to see then until the end of the year. It’s like reading the story in Genesis 48:11 when ‘Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”’
Seeing how perfectly and purposefully God had planned for Joseph to be sold by his brothers so he could be elevated to the highest leadership role under Pharaoh so he could save lives, in particularly his families during the seven years of famine (Genesis 45:5-7). Likewise, with God allowing me time to be away from my family for a longer period that I’ve had before, crushing my small dose of excitement to see them in February so I could be overjoyed and overly excited to see them (and other relatives) in HK.
I can’t describe how refreshing and what a blessing it was to be surrounded by family for those five days and I’m now so excited for my squad mates to be reunited with theirs.
Have you lost your excitement to see your folks? When’s the last time you’ve been away from them or noticed the uniquely cool and fun things you do with your fam? Notice it, treasure it, and trust that God has plans to reunite you guys in His good timing and with refreshing results.
