When I began the World Race, I knew that illnesses and injuries were inevitable. I’m not the most coordinated person and certain foods easily upset my stomach. I also came on the Race knowing that my migraines might be an issue every so often. I knew that there would be hot countries. I knew that there would be days I didn’t feel like waking up early. I knew there would be ministries I wasn’t super passionate about. But that did not stop me from saying yes.
Saying yes to God to go on the World Race meant saying yes to giving up cushy American comforts, meant saying yes to giving up what I want, and means doing this not only at training camp or launch but every day. Looking at Facebook posts, Instagram pictures, and inspirational blog posts are all great. But similar to life outside of this 11 country trip, not every day involves water falls and elephants. A lot of days look like washing dishes or speaking broken English. But life is what you make it. I have realized most things in life can be controlled by attitude. Life can be as adventurous as we make it.
Sitting next to an 8 year old and teaching her borrow and subtract math. Playing connect four in a bar to build relationships with the women who work there. Washing dishes over and over again at a cafe. Playing 15 games of soccer in a day. All of those things can feel mundane if you want them to. But as for me I choose joy. I choose awesome. The moment when the 8 year old finally understands the math problem—awesome. The moment the woman at the bar comes up to you at a coffeeshop down the road to give you a hug—awesome. The moment when the dishes have piled up and you stand there singing and laughing with soap all over your arm, the other women working in the cafe feel that joy—awesome. The moment when 21 sweaty boys collapse into our laps and arms, exhausted from a long day of soccer, while watching a movie and eating popcorn—awesome.
In the Philippines, I tripped one day on an uneven sidewalk and tore a ligament in my foot. In Thailand, I got really sick (either a bacterial infection or food poisoning). In Cambodia, I am still getting over an upper respiratory infection and also am treating lice. The pain from walking allowed me time to spend around the cafe in our hostel. It allowed me more time in my Bible and in prayer. It allowed me to lean on my team for things I (too independently) wouldn’t have normally. The stomach sickness produced a deeper faith in me than ever before as I spent all day praying for healing over my body and woke up the next morning completely fine (in 25 hours I had diarrhea 19 times…crazy right?). The cough has made me appreciate the clean air I have freely breathed my whole life. Out of all of these things, lice is my worst nightmare. Basically anything where a bug is on or in my body freaks me out. As I sit next to an air conditioner at a coffeeshop after school, I write this blog post with Listerine in my hair. The dread has entered into my mind already—how will I fall asleep tonight? The psychological itch has begun—even though my head isn’t even itchy since we caught it early. But how many important things will I miss out on—how many roses will I neglect to smell—if I live consumed with fear.
Sometimes life is hard. Like really hard. When those days come–because they will–stand strong and hold onto joy firmly. Choose joy. Because negativity can overtake you. Negativity has the power to knock you down and knock you out. But don’t let it. Don’t give it that power over your life.
John 16:33 says that “…in this life we WILL have trouble…” — not if you have trouble, but when you have trouble — “BUT take heart, I have overcome the world.”
James 1:2-4 says “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I have found that growth happens most and growth happens best in trials. Think about it. In your life, when things suck and you feel like you’re headed to rock bottom or you’re already there….looking back later think about how you grew or had the opportunity to grow. Choose joy. Choose awesome.
With Love,
Shelby
