So, as most moms do, I struggle with doing things that are for me. I will buy something for Chris or the kids without hesitation or invest in a big family event or trip, but not "me."
When my friend Becky, who lives in Oahu, called and asked to meet her in Kauai, I thought how fun, but it is a dream...not gonna happen really. When Chris insisted that I book it, I was taken back. With his is persistence, coupled with with my mom's willingness to help out with the kids, I booked a trip with non refundable tickets!
Then...CHOKE!
Regrets hit. I could have used the money for...(any number of fill-in-the-blanks)...the weather was set to rain..I will be putting people out to help me when I am gone...the kids are so sad I am going, especially without them...
My amazing husband looked me in the eye and said, "Do not complain. You are going to Hawaii! God has allowed this trip for you and you be purposed to enjoy every moment and be purposeful to PRAISE HIM!" I know it sounds easy when you are talking about going to Hawaii, but I easily have regrets and focus on the "rain" (figurative, and in this case literal), but I committed to Chris to rejoice always.
I prayed, I was purposeful. I was reminded that every breath we have been given is about loving God and our neighbor. It changed my perspective immediately. I remembered that it was about Jesus and the people. He made that so clear when I was sitting at the airport listening to a man play hymns on the grand piano as I spent time reading 1 John and praying for others. Then, as I was praying for missionary friends leaving back to the Ukraine to help orphans, I remember they were leaving that very day. I texted them and found out they were in the airport near me. Our God is that good!!! He gave us time to hug and pray together before they got on their plane. We would not have had this time without booking this trip! God is in the details we cannot see. I realized, at that moment...If that was the ONLY reason we invested in this trip, it would have been worth it.
As I continued to pray and praise God for the little things, I asked that I would be able to share His love with all those I come in contact with (which is something not as easy to do when the focus on a trip is tending to the two young children I normally have entrusted to my care). He uses His Holy Spirit to direct prayer and He answers! I spent 5 hours sharing my life and the hope found in Christ with the lady I sat with (which was a "last minute" seat switch that morning). She shared her life with me and was saying, repeatedly, how she believed God sat us together for a reason. I couldn't have agreed more. (I also had some shorter flights on the return where I as able to talk about Jesus with people I had never met and will probably never encounter again in my lifetime). If that was the ONLY reason we invested in this trip, it would have been worth it.
When I got there, it did still rain! The plans changed. In the rain, I was able to have sweet time with Becky and have really great, encouraging, Christ-centered talks with a new friend named Katie. Again, I remembered that it is not about the location, the beach, the sunshine...it is about God and people! We hiked the Napali Coast in rains that literally almost washed us down the cliffs, but we rejoiced together and praised God in the rain. If that was the ONLY reason we invested in this trip, it would have been worth it.
This all set the stage of my heart to even enjoy the "sunny" times all the more. We did have sunny times. We nearly cried as we saw so many whales and schools of dolphins as we sailed on a boat tour. We were taken back by God's majesty, creativity and power as we swam in the ocean with the most amazing sea creatures. Katie and I learned to appreciate the birds God designed (because Becky stopped to take a picture of nearly all of them on the island). We laughed as we built relationships with each other and those around us. We enjoyed moments of rest as we lay in the sun as the waves crashed near us. We had time to be still and see that He is God. If that was the ONLY reason we invested in this trip, it would have been worth it.
So, this trip was AMAZING because I saw it in it's fullest. Full of God and people. It is a great reminder for me as to my purpose ALL THE TIME! I am to love Him and my neighbors in every moment. It is not about the sunshine or the rain. Both will come, figuratively and literally. He is there and He he places people around us constantly to love and share with. It is me who fails to see it so often. I get so easily get caught up in the circumstances rather than the One who holds the seas and has made every fish in them. This trip was a life lesson for my heart. If that was the ONLY reason we invested in this trip, it would have been worth it.
