The Lord has taught me a great lesson in obedience while preparing for this trip to India. I knew about two years ago when I first heard that there would be a potential mission trip to India that I needed to go. I sought the Lord in prayer and definitely felt the affirmation to go.
At that time, I only had Seth…but this time when the trip was finally planned my Levi was about 3 months old and I knew he would be a little over a year and that the timing of things would be okay for my kids.
What I didn’t know is the struggle I would feel inside about being away from them. Seth has actually been away from me for two weeks before and we are only going to be gone 17 days. Levi has been away for one week. So, I would think I could handle it.
But there seems to be something that feels so final or just so far away about going to India, that it has created this internal struggle in my heart.
Well, the Lord has been working on me about obedience… the very thing I work with my children on! 🙂 I know He wants me to go, so I need to trust Him.
The Lord reminded me of a scripture a little over a week ago…
Matthew 10:37 (New International Version)
37“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;”
I was allowing thoughts of losing my children to almost consume me… basically like an idol.
I do love my Savior more than my children.
And guess what… He loves my children more than I do!
So, all of this to say…I realized when I let go and gave my children over to Him, everything was going to be okay- regardless of what happens to me.
I felt such a freedom, although it was hard to get to this place, and don’t get me wrong here…I cried so hard when they pulled out of the drive way today.
But I have a peace, a peace that they will be okay, because they belong to the Heavenly Father and not me.
And besides I know I will see them again soon. If not, at the RDU air port…they can find me at the banqueting table in Heaven. I’ll be sitting at the table that serves Indian food!
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
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.
Colossians 3 (New International Version)
Colossians 3
Rules for Holy Living
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Luke 10:27 (New International Version)
27He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Deuteronomy 6: 4- 9
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.