Just say 'Hello'

In devotions, some morning this week, my mother read how our prayer life is like traveling with a friend.  This quickly brought memories of the recent time when my mother was traveling with a good friend of hers.  I had had to work that day so I was unable to accompany them.  Over my lunch break I called my mother to ask her a question.  She, of course, was driving which meant her friend answered the ringing phone.  She, having a different type of cell, wasn’t sure how to answer it and having opened it asked, “How do I answer it?”  My mother’s response was ‘just say hello.’  Her friend had not meant ‘how do I answer it, but rather what do I push to answer?’  The response that she received was not enough to answer her question (or so she thought) so she promptly pushed a button that she guessed would answer the call.  Unsurprisingly she pushed ‘hold’.  This put a pause in the conversation.  Yes, I know what you are thinking…big deal…and your point?!  Lousy story.   Well, this is a legit response if you are simply looking at the illustration as it was, but if you take it piece by piece and really ponder the significance, thinking back to the very first sentence in the paragraph, then you will see an amazing illustration of how we ‘believers’ often live our lives.  We can relate this to how we so often respond when, in our spiritual journey with the LORD, He calls us to do something or go somewhere and our response is “but how will I?” And He simply says ‘just say hello’… “Trust Me.  I’ll work out the details.  Just do what I have called you to do.”  Out of our fear and lack of trust in Him, we begin pushing buttons trying to make it work.  Too often this is the way we respond to God’s call.  We in our weakness of heart and lack of faith feel it our part to figure out just how we are supposed to accomplish God’s call when what we really should be doing is seeking His divine will, way, and plan.  He alone is the answer. 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight."

      Proverb 3:5-6

You may read this post and wonder “wait…I thought this was a blog for her trip to South America?”  Well, yes that is the reason this blog was created.  However, from time to time I may post things that are on my heart.  In other words, I am not limiting this blog to my continental travels but am including my spiritual travels as well.  Hope that this blog may be a blessing to those who read. 

As I write this entry my departure date is steadily approaching…and while I’m getting increasingly excited every day,   I am beginning to miss my family already and the normal that will leave when I step on the plane.    I feel as though life may never be the same.  Struggling with the thought of having to return home from Guatemala, not knowing when I will ever return.  So to answer your many questions of “are you coming back, do you think you’ll stay? Etc.”  My response, “I don’t know.”  The temptation increases daily to not return.  However, I do not want to go this route if it is not the Lord calling me to do so.  My heart is there already although my body currently resides in the states.  When they are reunited it may be ever so hard to separate them once again.  Please be in prayer for me that I would have the strength as I make these steps of faith in (whatever direction it may be) and that I would grow in my love for my Savior through this leg of the journey.

Thank you for your prayers.  I am hoping to be able to keep you all updated weekly while I’m away however, not knowing how much free time I may have, it may be hit and miss on occasion.   Enjoy!