Jul
23
Leaving Leuven
Filed Under AIA Track & Field Ministry, Life
It has been almost a week since I’ve left Belgium. My flight out of Brussels was delayed 3 hours (something about the brakes of the plane not working…) I seriously considered staying. I’m out in beautiful Colorado for our staff conference, but my thoughts and my heart are still in Belgium.
There were so many things about this summer that cannot be explained without God. There was so much goodness, my heart is so full of mirth whenever I think about it. This summer’s trip means so much to me, but one word that best describes it is redemption.
A part of me so badly wanted this summer to go well, not just to reflect God and his glory, but to redeem myself from last year. I made a lot of mistakes last year, but I learned so much through the process. I had been through a lot of hard things as well in just a short amount of time…about a span of 3 months starting March 19th, 2011 with the death of one of my athletes. With the goodness of everything this summer…from the ministry, my team and the growth in my heart, reminded me of my phrase, “There is always goodness amidst the crap. There is always goodness, because there is always God.”
When we’re knocked down by things this world throws at us, we have to get up and keep going, because God is still moving. I’m not saying don’t grieve what needs to be grieved. Take the time you need to process through things – label what you’re feeling, work through what you’re feeling, sit at the feet of our Father for as long as you need, but you eventually need to get back up. There is work still to be done. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying there won’t be set backs. But I am saying that grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gives us the hope and the strength to continue moving forward when we feel defeated, when we feel distraught, when we feel like a failure.
I’ve yet to process through all of Belgium and the time I spent there but I do know that my heart longs to return to that country and to the people. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and coming along for the ride. This isn’t an ending, it’s a “to be continued…”
you are always welcome to our beautiful little town;)