Parents.
The people who desired a miracle of their own,
who thought about me before anyone else,
and who actually knew about me before the rest of the world.
Parents.
They loved me even before I took my first breath.
They nurtured and comforted me from the day I was put in their arms.
Growing up, I watched what they did and learned from them.
They taught me how to walk, how to drive, and how to survive.
They corrected and disciplined when I wasn’t doing the right thing.
They supported me when I didn’t want their support.
They loved me when I didn’t want nor deserve their love.
They started to let go, empowering me to be independent.
They encouraged and trusted me to pursue my likes, wants, and dreams.
The list could go on and on, but even in this short list- I am in awe of how evident the Lord’s heart is in my parents.
Oh, how beautiful it was to see His heart through them this week.
- Their time and talents are given away generously. My mother’s love is gentle. She approaches situations with great, great care. She allows her heart to speak through what she does. She gives with her whole heart, not out of obligation, but because she is rooted in His love. My father’s love is intentional. He gives his time and attention with purpose- to share an experience. His laughter and love for fun is inviting.
- They desire to bless and serve others. It’s easy to get wrapped up in gratitude of the numerous ways these humans have served me in my life, but I forget to look at how well they serve others- other family members, their friends and my friends, and even people and children they don’t know.
- They are motivated by the spirit of the living God to take risks. I saw a willingness in their hearts to dive into this new and different thing (community and missions) and actually choose to find out what it’s all about. They chose to be fully present and believed that there was great work to be done for the Kingdom in India.
“The most fulfilling lives seek out the meaningful
— more than the beautiful.
The most fulfilling lives actually see the meaningful
— as the most beautiful.”
– Ann Voskamp
If I had to choose two words to sum up what this week was for me I’d say meaningful and beautiful.
The meaningful became the beautiful.
Being able to take risks for heaven here on earth right beside my parents meant more than I thought it ever could. Not because it meant something to me personally, which it did, but because I saw how much it meant to those around us.
Sarah’s Covenant Home is an organization here in India that takes in orphaned children with disabilities. They provide around the clock care, resources for development, and continued support for children who otherwise would not have received much attention in the state orphanage.
We had the opportunity to give a face-lift to one of their houses this week. Racers and their parents came together to paint an entire level in 2 days (more specifically 4 hours). Kitchen, living room, play room, and dining room… a fresh coat for another season of life.
The couple that takes care of this home were the sweetest people. They have daughters of their own, and adopted a child from Sarah’s Covenant Home (SCH). They are parents to their own and choose selflessly to be parents to the other children in this place. They also have help from widowed women from India who care for these children too. I saw their love resemble Christ’s love in so many ways. How they give, the words they speak and the way they walk in hope.
The last day we spent with SCH, all racers and their parents got to take all of the children to a park. This only gets to happen once or twice a year because they don’t have enough hands and resources to manage all of the children. So, by God’s grace, all the stars aligned this week and we transported all the children to a park to play for hours. I saw child-like faith spread like a wildfire in this park.
Meaningful:
Hearts were awakened.
Spirits were lifted.
Joy was shared in abundance.
Love was experienced.
Eyes could see and ears could hear FREEDOM.
And what was beautiful:
Jesus was powerfully found in the center of every heart.
Young and old, American and Indian.
And here’s an incredible promise…
His love isn’t finished yet!
We keep seeking more of His heart!
We keep praying that others will be impacted by His love!
We keep taking risks until thy kingdom has come and thy will has been done!
Thanks Mom and Dad for being a (huge) part of a meaningful and beautiful week I’ll never forget!
XOXO
Tay
”You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL of your heart.
“I will be found by you”, declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.“
Jeremiah 29:13-14
