God does amazing things in life when we open space for Him. When we stop being selfish with our lives and give into His purpose.
When I thought I had life figured out the Lord threw me into the World Race. I’d always had a desire to travel and serve people. God took my curiosity for travel and turned it into an adventure of a lifetime. Not only visiting 11 countries but living, thriving and learning about the culture and it’s people for one full month.
And yet, He doesn’t stop there. He took a step further and gave me a 12th country, Cape Town, South Africa. Five days in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a relationship with someone who is more important than everything combined. He gave me my sister, Jenny.
I met my sister. Not my half sister, not my adopted sister, my sister. I met a piece of me.
I met someone who looked like me. Someone who enjoys many of the same things as me. Someone who I think and act similar to. Someone who sounds a little different, who may have grown up a little differently. Even someone who may enjoy eating bananas.
I use to say I was the youngest of 4. Now, I say I am the youngest of 5.
I never imagined I’d meet my sister who lived thousands of miles away. She felt like an unreachable dream. And yet, that’s what our God does. He makes the unreachable, tangible. He makes the impossible, our daily life. He creates new paths in the wilderness. He orchestrates beautiful scenes out of the dust.
I’ll be honest, I was nervous. Uncertainty can often feel scary in this life. Yet Jenny and I walked into the unknown confident that God had orchestrated everything. Not sure what His plan was we dove in.
I couldn’t see what was coming, similar to walking in the dark. You know there’s something in front of you but you can’t see it and you don’t know where you’re going. Yet you continue, one foot in front of the other. Trusting God’s already taken the steps ahead, lighting the path as we go. Just because we’re unaware of what God is doing doesn’t mean we don’t trust Him. He’s opening space for us to trust Him. He’s providing an opportunity to walk out faith.
Meeting Jenny was like finding another puzzle piece to myself, to my life. Her welcoming spirit made me feel like I was back home. She made me feel loved, cared for and welcomed. She made me feel like family. She invited me into her life like I was someone she’d always known not someone she’d just met.
Her open and honest conversations about marriage, relationships and being a “grown-up” was like talking to an older sister giving her younger sister advice. Which was exactly what she was doing.
She welcomed me into her home, church, school and relationships. She scheduled activities, answered endless questions, provided home cooked meals and made me feel like I was an important part of her life.
I cherish my time in Cape Town. The gorgeous views have been imprinted into my memory. Delicious cuisine, home cooked meals, ice cream, wine and coffee I’ve noted my sister enjoys so much.
Most importantly I will remember the company and conversation of my sister. The moments I was introduced not as a friend or a half sister but as a sister. The many moments we shared saying “That’s how I know we’re sisters”. Things I will forever remember, cherish and hope to share again.
