Bigger than my Bucket List

Lately, our team has been sharing our experience in Greece with churches, Sunday schools, small groups, Bible studies and even individuals.  Its been encouraging and uplifting to talk about how the God is working in Athens.   Each time I have shared, I have cried.  It just happens, every time.  I become emotional as I watch the video of the faces of the refugees, the smiles, the hugs and the amazing girls that I shared this sweet time with.

After I finish, the most popular question is, "Are you going back?" And my answer (God-willing) is "Yes."

I feel confident in my answer because I am confident in the Lords' calling.  It is clear and an unmistakable.  I heard Him tell my heart to GO....and I can feel him preparing my heart to RETURN, one day. 

You see, for the past several years, I had amerced myself in the glows of pregnancies, the smells of sweet newborn babies, night time feedings, diaper changes, play dates, library, music class, bedtime stories and enjoying the fruits of watching my sweet boys grow and thrive. Blake and I had enjoyed the success of a young couple, and we felt blessed in so many ways.  We had a huge circle of friends that felt like family.  Yes, my world was safe, comfortable and beautiful.

Then the tug began…..

I knew that the Lord wanted more from me.   

More than participation in church activities, small group, Bible studies, and teaching Sunday School.  More than being Blake's wife.  More than being Layton & Luke's Mommy.   

He wanted more.  

He wanted me to trust in Him and follow where the Lord was leading, that my life would reflect that fully and faithfully.  Trusting God to lead me down a road that, frankly, was uncomfortable and discouraging at times.  I had served my church in my safe zone and I had lived my life in a protected beautiful bubble.  Except, He wanted my zone to change and my bubble to be burst, all the while, trusting Him to take my life wherever that may be.

The trust came and He became my life-changer.

It became more than a check-mark on my "bucket list", or a stamp in my passport.  It's bigger than my bucket list.  It's grander than the unique stamps.  The longing to be going, doing, serving, sharing, and loving has become my passion.  I want to be doing these things here in my church, in my city, my state, my country and the world.  I sometimes wish it was a "one and done" kind of experience. An experience that I could say, "Yeah, I went on a mission trip. It was nice, but once is good enough for me...glad that I checked it off my bucket list."  But I can't.  It's taken hold of my heart and gripped it tightly.  I have a feeling its not going to let go.

Reaching the people of this world for His sweet name became bigger than my bucket list. 

 

And I'm so thankful it did.