In the wake of the end of 2015 and my upcoming departure, I wanted to reflect on some things I've been learning in the past few months.
How many of you are familiar with the Head Start Program? In the 60s the Department of Health and Human Services decided to start a "catch-up" program for low-income children. They designed programs to foster stable family relationships, enhance children's physical and emotional well-being, and establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills. Basically, in was the pre-work before the work started.
In college, I remember taking a development child psychology class where the Head Start Program was discussed. The professor talked about "at-risk children". It wasn't until that class I realize that I was defined as an "at-risk child"; I met many of the qualifications. We were minorities from a low-socioeconomic family, I was raised by a single mother, I had a series of behavioral problems. I am extremely thankful for that "catch-up" program. I was provided with all the tools to succeed academically before there was anything that was even challenging.
Once I finished raising support, I felt like everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. It has been an overwhelming few months where one thing has happened after another. I think it can all be defined by two words: Spiritual Warfare. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, in friendships, in family relationship; things have gone from bad to worse.
The truths of Scripture have been hard to run to but it has been the only solace of comfort. Psalm 25, Ephesians 6:17
All of this to say, I feel like this season of trials is preparing me in more ways than I could imagine for when I arrive to Germany.
"And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5
Joni Eareckson Tada said:
“Every sorrow we taste will one day prove to be the best possible thing that could have happened to us. We will thank God endlessly in heaven for the trials that he sent us here"