Today is the day. I am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to take off and leave the United States.
This week was one full of good byes. I caught myself thinking at the beginning of the week that I had to craft these 'perfect" good byes as if saying perfect good byes could avoid the feelings of loss to come. Once I realized there is no such thing as a perfect good bye I felt a sense of relief knowing it wasn't good bye, but see you later.
God puts people in our lives for different reasons in different seasons. Community is one of my favorite creations made by our Creator. I don't know how to say good bye and leave a community I feel so invested in. I've found myself wondering, "What am I doing?!"
Today was the hardest of the good byes as I gave my last hugs to my parents before heading to me gate. This is when it hit me and the tears started to roll. I realized I am setting out to do the hardest thing I have ever done. I thought, "Can I really do this? Some people think running a marathon is hard, but that seemed easy compared to how I feel now!"
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
But God has never ceased to give me His peace, not even today!
I have never been more thankful for the Holy Spirit's friendship than I am today. I can go forth away from the people that I love and the place that I call home in confidence that He is with me.
I honestly wonder how the Old Testament prophets did it. How did they go to foreign lands and live hard lives without the consistent presence of the Holy Spirit inside of them like we have today?! Thinking about this gives me new revelation as to how great the gift Jesus brought us is when he said, "It is to your advantage that I go." (John 16:9)
So yes I am scared, yes I am excited, but NO I am not alone!
In the exciting days and the hard days ahead I look forward to sharing with you what we have all been waiting for! God is faithful, He is good and I can't wait to share with you the ways He works in the upcoming days.
Thank you for being a more amazing support team and prayer team than I could ever imagine and thank you for joining the journey with me and with Him!
"Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you ... For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in perfect peace" Isaiah 55:5, 12