“Oh…… Well, at least you might meet your future husband!” they exclaim as you tell them. As if that could be the only explanation as to why a successful twenty five year old single woman would be quitting her dream job to live out of a backpack to travel the world telling people about Jesus.
It doesn’t matter who THEY are… THEY are too many to name. If you’re a female Racer or a single missionary you’ve heard it more than once. From your grandma, your best friend, your boss, and the stranger you’re stuck sitting beside on the plane…
You hear it so frequently, you begin to ponder the possibilities… Could it happen? Will it happen? Is that what God has for me/wants for me? I mean it COULD happen I suppose? Maybe he’ll be a doctor serving with Doctors Without Borders. Maybe we’ll meet at an orphanage. Maybe…Maybe…Maybe…
Somewhere between your maybes and Month 1, you go to training camp, meet your new (co-ed) team, and realize a few things.
- This “race” is not going to be easy.
- You aren’t as ‘put together’ as you thought. In fact you’re actually kind of a wreck.
- You have some major unlaying “guy issues”.
- You’re going to need some help.
1 year ago, to the day, I was placed on that co-ed team and had no idea what I was in for. As I sit here now in my final month, I want to take a minute to let you in on secret….
God gave me something better than 1 faithful man to spend my forever with. He gave me SEVEN.
God gave me exactly what I needed the most and exceeded all my expectations.
I’ve spent the last 365 days living with men that have reminded me the beautiful ways God sees me, the love He has for me, and reminded me what I’m worth. They have sharpened me, walked through healing with me, spoken truth over me. They have honored, respected, and loved me so well this year.
They are the kind of men who:
- are eager to hear your dreams
- care more about growing and teaching your spirit than flattering your ego
- allow you to be dangerously yourself
- sneak goats into your bathroom…
- push you to limits you didn’t even know you were capable of reaching.
- go to get their first pedicure/foot massage with you because quality time and foot care are equally important.
are always willing to carry your baggage: physically and emotionally. - push you out of the way when an electric pole falls on your group and a car almost hits you.
- after months of debates and discussions, put the toilet seat down.
- hold your hand when you’re bawling and aren’t scared to walk with you through your emotions.
- aren’t afraid to correct you when you’re wrong and give all feedback from a place of love in order for you to look more like Christ.
- stop whatever they are doing to play with the smelly street kids (the ones labeled “ugly” “forgotten” “rough”. They ones no one else acknowledge. The kids who need father figures the most)
- rub your back while you’re throwing up in a plastic bag on the bus
- believe in your ability to lead and aren’t afraid to follow.
- give you a 6 second hug because they know that’s how long it takes before you really believe it
- let you cry so hard into their chest you leave boogers on their shirt (this unfortunately has happened more than once… thanks guys for sticking around through this and more)
- call, write, and pursue you relentlessly even when you are scared to let them in
- you wake up in the middle of the night after you’ve had a terrible nightmare. They get up, walk you back to bed, tuck you in, and hold your hand praying with you until you fall back to sleep.
These are the men that I have grown to know, love, and cherish. They are the men that have prayed over my future and the relationships it includes. They are the men that will act tough, but secretly all cry when they see me in a white dress walking down the aisle. They are the men that will all have sermon notes jammed into their back pockets JUST in case our wedding official gets sick, runs late, or breaks a leg… (in fact, they’ve joked about it).
From challenges to celebrations, friendships to families I can not wait to see what else the Lord has in store for each of us. I truly love you guys. Thank you Randy, Seth, Alex, Rick, Christian, Tanner, and Evan for everything and so much more.
