As I sat here this morning, drinking my Spark, and eating my apple slices for breakfast, I realize I am still trying to get back to the swing of things. See, all last week my husband and I had probably one of the coolest adventures we've had in our almost 9 years of marriage. We went to Jacmel, Haiti where we got to serve with members of three other churches on a mission trip team. We got up early, went to bed early, and for some reason it's been kind of wonky trying to get back on Mississippi time, even though it's only an hour difference, it literally feels like another world down there. These last few months have been a series of firsts for my hubby and I, and I know already that it is going to continue in the coming months.
Some of you may know, if you know us personally or have kept up with this blog, that since September God has been pulling us out of our comfort zones and stretching our trust, further than I ever thought possible. He has torn down walls, shattered fears and expectations, and has been chipping away at the security bubble around us.
6 months ago, I liked like little American bubble. I had real fears that kept me from ever stepping outside of it, because I couldn't control the circumstances of what might happen if I stepped outside. After the marriage conference in September, as you have probably heard about, many couples were challenged to do some radical things in their marriages for the sake of obedience to Christ, and that Sunday we were again challenged as families, to pursue the dreams that God has called us to. That made a profound impact, not just on my home, but in pretty much everyone who attended.
I realized as a wife and mother, that I had some things wrong, and had my priorities and motives in all the wrong places. I realized as a follower of Christ, that to live in my safe little comfort zone was not just lazy, but downright sinful. Over the past few months, each step we took Christ showed Himself glorious in helping us to trust Him more, proving to be our Provider Father who cares for us, and teaching us that He was capable of accomplishing His tasks through us, His sheep.
Sometimes my fears were proved to be completely irrational, but He was with me and comforted me nonetheless. My fear of needles was as real to me as any other fear, but I had to overcome it to get vaccinated for the trip. God was with me the whole time, and was patient with me. He comforted me, and it got to be a teaching moment for the kids. Sometimes the things we are most afraid of, turn out to be nothing to have worried about at all! Then there was my long time fear of flying. God took my fear away for that one, and to my surprise replaced it with excitement just before stepping on the plane! It was again, nothing to have worried over at all. Then there was my fear over getting sick while out of the country, or getting into some danger while we were there. For that one, God protected not only me, but my whole group that we traveled with. We definitely felt those prayers, so thanks!!
Now, that doesn't mean the enemy wasn't at work too. A week before we were to leave, I did get sick. Bad. Tuesday I broke down and used every penny we had to go to the Dr. and got medicine for what turned out to be just a really bad sinus infection. Not strep, which we had been exposed to, and not the flu-which kept another team member from getting to go on this trip. God had a reason for me and Jacob to go! By Thursday, all I had left was a cough and 8 more days of antibiotics to take on the trip with me. :D God is good, and He answered my prayer of Healing. I wasn't really able to get in touch with my family at home, as wifi and internet were not consistent over there. Little did I know when I returned home, it would be to sick babies. Finding that out Saturday morning in the Haitian airport was as equally frustrating as the delayed flights, and setbacks when we were just ready to get home. The enemy wanted to distract us from a successful trip to Haiti.
The point of this is not really to recap our trip, that's a post for another day. But instead, it is to remind you that when God gives you a challenge, no matter how outlandish, to take Him up on it. What He wants for you is greater than your wildest dreams. It doesn't mean you won't have to overcome some obstacles, but God can use those as opportunities to grow you.
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