Let Go.

I have a strong desire to have control over my life circumstances. I think that I can have a firm, unrelenting grip on the way that I want things to be. Unfortunately, if you have lived life for any substantial amount of time, you know that this is not a helpful or productive way to live. Why? Because we really, ultimately do not have any sort of control over the way things happen. (Thank goodness). Over time, with much guidance, from God and trusted friends, I have discovered that this is not a healthy way to live. When I see that my drive for control has taken over my heart and my mind I pray for God to take it away. I pray that I can trust Him alone with my anxiety, my worries, my disappointments and that I can learn from things going wrong.

This summer so far has been tumultuous, to say the least. It is true to state that almost every area of my life- my home, my relationships, my job, thoughts and hopes for the future have changed or become more complicated in one way or another. The peace of having “everything together” is no longer present in my heart. Is this hard? Yes. Is it devastating? No. These life changes have allowed my heart to be challenged and changed. I have seen the need for relying completely on my faith in God and on nothing else. I continually look to Jeremiah 29:11, " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Training with Team World Vision over these last weeks have given me perspective in more ways than one. Running has been a tangible outlet for the stress and anxiety that naturally comes from significant life changes. I have also had time to reflect on the lives of these children that I am running for. No matter what I am going through here, how blessed I am! Who am I to spend time complaining and worrying about my own life? I have a beautiful place to live, an incredible community of family and friends, and a fiancé who is such a blessing of support and perspective in my life. Many of the children who we are running and raising support for are in the midst of the most serious and severe drought in Africa. Their lives are truly tumultuous and full of uncertainty. Their main concern is to have enough food and water to live each day.

I am so blessed. I am so grateful that uncertainty and unexpected change has been a part of my summer; God has and is continuing to teach me how to let go and rely on Him. It is my hope and prayer that He will be present to these communities in Africa who are in dire need of assistance.

Please consider sponsoring a child in Africa through Team World Vision.