One of my concerns when I first signed up for the World Race was what I would do between graduating from college in May & leaving for the Race in August. I was hoping to find a part time job…but knew it wouldn’t be easy since I was available for less than three months, & I needed more than two weeks off in June for training camp. By God’s perfect plan I was given a job at a cookie shop & was blessed with some of the best co-workers & bosses. I immediately felt a sense of belonging & loved where I worked!
One of the many things the cookie shop is known for their frosted sugar cookies. Frosting was not a job I envied on my first day of work as I knew there was no way I could ever make my frosting look as flawless as my co-workers. In order for me to practice I was given the task of the sprinkled dozens (the frosted sugar cookies covered in sprinkles). This allowed me to practice my frosting skills, but my lack of frosting ability was covered by the multicolored sprinkles.
As I spent the majority of one morning frosting I was reminded how God’s infinite grace covers my infinite mistakes just like my frosting flaws were covered by the sprinkles.
Being just one week away from leaving doubts & anxious thoughts are more prevalent in my mind, & I’ve felt guilty for not fully trusting the plan the Lord has for me. I was telling people I trusted the World Race was what the Lord has planned for me during the next eleven months, & He’s confirmed this over to me again and again, but I wasn’t quite believing this with my heart.
Yet, there is grace. Grace for my doubts, grace for my unbelief, grace for when I wonder what in the world I’ve signed myself up for. The Lord’s grace is abundant (John 1:16), & He’s always there waiting for me to come back & trust Him.
When I gave my initial deposit for the Race back in November I copied this quote from Henri Nouwen in my notebook. It’s one of my favorites & something I’m hanging onto as the reality of leaving sets in.
“Every time we make the decision to love someone,
we open ourselves to great suffering,
because those we most love cause us not only great joy
but also great pain.
The greatest pain comes from leaving.
When the child leaves the home…
When the husband or wife leaves for a long period of time..
When the beloved friends departs to another country…
the pain of leaving can tear us apart.
Still, if we want to avoid the suffering of leaving,
we will never experience the joy of loving
And love is stronger than fear
Life stronger than death
Hope stronger than despair
We have to trust that the risk of loving is always worth taking.”
That’s my prayer right now…that I would remember the pain of leaving & moments of fear are worth it. Because the Gospel is to be spread among the nations, God’s abundant mercy & love is to be shared, & He’s a good Father for allowing me to take part in His kingdom work.
While I won’t be a perfect example of this everyday, there’s always grace waiting for me on the other side. I’m thankful for what my job at the cookie shop taught me, the time I have left with my family, & the journey that begins in seven days.
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Thank you for the continued prayers, love, & support you are all showing me! I look forward to sharing these next 11 months with you through my blog! If you haven’t subscribed yet for updates you can enter your email address by clicking on the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ link on the left side of the page!
