WHY am I even here?
I asked myself that sev-er-al times this past week.
Oh, I knew the process I’d gone through. I knew the events leading up to the boys and I being a part of the Laurens Baptist Association Mission trip to the Winfield, TN/Pine Knot, KY area. I knew that I was supposed to be there. (That process is a story in itself.) But WHY was I there?
On Monday the boys enjoyed VBS, and then there was nothing else scheduled for us. I have drilled into them that vacations are for fun and mission trips are for work. And there was no work for us. All mission trips have some details that are up-in-the-air until the last minute, but this one was REALLY that way. We couldn’t cook and serve at the Lord’s Café. I wasn’t part of any of the all-male construction teams.
I took the boys back to VBS on Tuesday. In the afternoon we weeded two rows of green beans at the farm AFTER I locked the key in the van where there is NO cell service and the closest locksmith is a 45 minute drive away. Since we’re here, you see that issue was resolved – another five minute story in itself. That evening most of the team went for ice cream at the Dairy Bar – it’s a trip tradition.
Wednesday, back to VBS. I prayer walked the apartment complex. After lunch I took the boys to a local museum. Thursday, back to VBS. Mid-morning, Pastor Mike texted me some logistics about this morning, including a request that I speak a few minutes about the trip. WHAT would I say? I had a talk with God about that. Usually, there’s too much to tell about a mission trip. And overall, there was about this one. But MY part? What’s there to tell? As I drove to get coffee (imagine that), it came to me. It’s about obedience. The thought would not go away.
So, my word for you about my part in this mission trip is “obedience.” When it doesn’t make sense to you or anyone around you. When you can’t see a WHY behind sitting in stalled traffic on I-26 for 40 minutes (in a drive that’s over 4 hours without delays) so your boys can go to VBS again this summer. When your kids are making you crazy because the routine is different. When you’re stiff and catywompus from sleeping on a different mattress. When you’re grateful someone else is cooking all the meals. When kids get into your stuff. When people hurt your feelings. When promised materials are not at the job site. When people are encouraging. When the cook finds gluten-free options. When you sob during group prayer for a young man who attempted suicide and instead of dying he needed a ramp at his home. I cried because the compassionate prayer was for him to have hope for living to go with his trust in Jesus. When you don’t know why you are where you are. Be obedient.
Okay, God, I’ll tell them that. It’s about obedience. Whether we’re being led to go a mission trip to another state, another country, another neighborhood, or across the street, we say yes and follow through. We may lead a Bible study, build a ramp, serve a meal, hold a hand, put on a bandaid, say a prayer, or listen to someone’s story above the ruckus of all our kids. We may go ourselves, pray diligently for those who are going, help fund the activities, or some combination of the three. You call us to obedience and mercy.
Just after lunch that day, we were blessed to help give away food at The Lord’s Café.
During the block party late Thursday afternoon, a young lady stopped to talk while we watched kids in the bounce house. She is a rising tenth grader. We prayed for her grandmother’s upcoming surgery. Later, she shared her hope to go to college and then medical school. I spewed forth stories and encouragement. It’s been over ten years since our daughter went through that process, but I shared what I learned. When I asked if I was talking too much, she said, “Oh NO. Everything is helpful.” I told her, “I’ve been wondering all week why I came on this trip. This is it. This conversation.” I pray she follows her dream, and mostly that she continues to follow Jesus.
No job is done until the cleaning is done.
#bgwww23
Wondering, Wandering, and Writing 
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