There are lots of missions that make missionary work seem so wonderful, noble, and romantic. Just do a Google search out there for any mission in any category of your liking, "well digging," "orphans," "charity missions." They all make the work look like FUN. Especially when you get to "get involved" and "do your part."
I am here to tell you, honestly, that mission work is about as much fun as real life. In fact, I might categorize the practice as Real Life on Steroids. It is taking the stuff that you think is tough in your life, all the things you ever struggled with up until today, and multiplying it by a hundred. Suddenly life isn't about YOUR problems.
No one is really listening so much to what I'm going through anymore, or how much I really need my peanut butter fix - I mean really NEED it. Even I forget to check up on me, and after weeks of work, ministry, and practical stuff, I have to get with Jesus to really focus on my emotional condition.
On top of all that I've become a "mommy" to my mission - it's the only thing that comes to mind in conversations anymore: So-and-so's attitude is difficult to deal with these days / I can't get her to put on a sweater / she's struggling in school / in relationships with friends / getting her chores done / she can't forgive her mother / her uncle / person X who hurt her / she seems to be tired all the time / she's sick this week / she likes a boy... The list goes on. I'm a mommy on steroids. Of course the hormone is really the Holy Spirit because I really don't see how EMILY could make any of this better, how she could change the impossible, like the other day...
BREAKTHROUGH! One of my girls, Mireya, has been one of my particularly reserved girls, and used to become very easily upset. She has been opening up lately, obeying more readily, and even said, "I really want to change my attitude, Emily, and I need help." I about fainted from joy, hugged her, and encouraged her to keep deciding to obey and maintain a cheerful heart. She seems happier, she accepts correction without protest, and has even become a better friend to her dorm-mates. It is a small step, but I'm a little closer to understanding what it is for a parent to be overjoyed by the little triumphs.
Several of them have become almost enthusiastic about devotionals, and ask "what time" it will be, and they bring their notebooks so they can write down the stuff that impacts them. We talked about the Holy Spirit the other day, and they asked SO MANY questions!
These are the moments that make the hard stuff pale in comparison. These are the events that I will look back on and remember with a smile spread over my heart. This is the stuff missions is made of. If you're looking for romance or adventure, go back home. If you're looking for life and life abundant, well then, stick it out a while. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
I am here to tell you, honestly, that mission work is about as much fun as real life. In fact, I might categorize the practice as Real Life on Steroids. It is taking the stuff that you think is tough in your life, all the things you ever struggled with up until today, and multiplying it by a hundred. Suddenly life isn't about YOUR problems.
No one is really listening so much to what I'm going through anymore, or how much I really need my peanut butter fix - I mean really NEED it. Even I forget to check up on me, and after weeks of work, ministry, and practical stuff, I have to get with Jesus to really focus on my emotional condition.
On top of all that I've become a "mommy" to my mission - it's the only thing that comes to mind in conversations anymore: So-and-so's attitude is difficult to deal with these days / I can't get her to put on a sweater / she's struggling in school / in relationships with friends / getting her chores done / she can't forgive her mother / her uncle / person X who hurt her / she seems to be tired all the time / she's sick this week / she likes a boy... The list goes on. I'm a mommy on steroids. Of course the hormone is really the Holy Spirit because I really don't see how EMILY could make any of this better, how she could change the impossible, like the other day...
BREAKTHROUGH! One of my girls, Mireya, has been one of my particularly reserved girls, and used to become very easily upset. She has been opening up lately, obeying more readily, and even said, "I really want to change my attitude, Emily, and I need help." I about fainted from joy, hugged her, and encouraged her to keep deciding to obey and maintain a cheerful heart. She seems happier, she accepts correction without protest, and has even become a better friend to her dorm-mates. It is a small step, but I'm a little closer to understanding what it is for a parent to be overjoyed by the little triumphs.Several of them have become almost enthusiastic about devotionals, and ask "what time" it will be, and they bring their notebooks so they can write down the stuff that impacts them. We talked about the Holy Spirit the other day, and they asked SO MANY questions!
These are the moments that make the hard stuff pale in comparison. These are the events that I will look back on and remember with a smile spread over my heart. This is the stuff missions is made of. If you're looking for romance or adventure, go back home. If you're looking for life and life abundant, well then, stick it out a while. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
1 comment:
This is very good news, indeed! Your obedience to the Lord in this calling is bearing fruit :-)
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