After spending several days (weeks maybe?) outside of my comfort zone in preparing to shoot this wedding, coming back to the words is all warm blankets and potato soup. As I prepare to leave next weekend—picking out a bag to pack, heading off to Target (again), rationing out my suitcase space—I know that writing will be the way I process through this coming trip. It is a great relief. I also know there is a great possibility I have no idea what leaving my comfort zone is really like. Not yet, anyway.
My deepest prayer has changed. First, it was Lord, keep me from panic on that airplane. But I know you have prayed, and that fear has miracle faded some. Now, my deepest prayer is simply, Lord.
I don’t even know what to pray, how to think or feel or act. I’m content with that for now.
The sun slows these May evenings, the shadows longer, the air sweet, warm honeysuckle and gardenias. It’s early summer in my backyard, and sometimes that’s as far as I want to go. And while happiness and joy can be found anywhere, it isn’t always happiness and joy we seek. Sometimes we need to see the beggars, the broken, the beautiful. We need to see compassion with hands and feet, much in the midst of little. And in seeing them, we see ourselves better.
These thoughts simmer slow, undone and waiting. Bear with me as they simmer still over the next few weeks. I simply ask for grace as I bring you with me on this adventure. I can’t believe it’s nearly here.
So looking forward to your perspective & heart on this trip, Emily.
Praying He brings light to dark places through you.
You don’t need to know what to pray. He knows and He’ll intercede for you. How amazing. Feeling the excitement with you.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..The Whiner
hey girl, so excited for your new adventure! you’re so dear to me, friend, and i love how God is using you!
can’t wait to see how God expands your hearts-vision on this trip
One piece of unsolicited advice from a frequent missions traveler… pack everything in oversized ziplocks and squish the air out of it (then you can fit more and it all stays dry and is less prone to wandering fingers in baggage security)
Will be praying friend!
Jenny´s last [type] ..IRL Bloggity Friends
Jenny u r so right! I even used the 2gal HeftyZips & XL &XXL ziplocs for events-cothes,shoes,firstaid&sunscream(&get the cooling sprays, Em!). I kept extra food&healthy beverages for the homeless, and always offered trips to the mission or VA when my looong days/nigghts were over, when the guys came out & I refused $–food,or a ride. My peers& crew thought I was nuts. But I called ppl sir&ma’am & never had probs. It was respect. BACK 2 ZIPZ sorry-like flying to a destitute area,like camping or working outside–keep bugs&critters out,keeps popped tubes corralled,etc. And take both GermX & babywipes! Lots. Showers w/out sinks,handwash w/out water.
I am looking forward to seeing it all through your eyes and words!
That seems to be my prayer daily. . .,ay your new adventure be blessed immensely!!
janene´s last [type] ..May 19- 2011
The more willing we are to step out, the more He stretches and expands our comfort zone. He brings us closer to His purpose for our story, and that means so much less of *us*. And it means we don’t know what we want, or what we should have, or what to pray. It’s our spirit that worships then, when we just trust that He’ll lead us.
Rich blessings, sweet Emily…
Amy Hunt´s last [type] ..make your life a reflection of your heart
Beautiful…..
“These thoughts simmer slow…” I hear you. And although stepping out of my comfort zone is a little closer to home, I am too preparing to meet the broken and the beautiful and mustering the courage to see myself better through it. Praying for you and walking with you….
Theresa@HeavenlyGlimpses´s last [type] ..As of Late – May
How appropriate. I heard Dr. Tim Keller speak on Tuesday night about justification and justice. The gist of his sermon was that when you understand justification through Christ Jesus, it humbles you. Because you are humbled, you see your own broken-ness in the poor, orphaned, widows and immigrants. It was powerful stuff!
Blessings to you on this trip!
Asiyah´s last [type] ..Fox and Geese
Can’t wait for you to share the adventure. I think your heart is “packing” the comfort & joy of your back yard these days. Perhaps, in the days ahead those “packed” treasures, those quiet places of building strength will be spilled over, poured out over new places & faces.
Robyn Q´s last [type] ..Soil Preparation
“There is a great possibility I have no idea what leaving my comfort zone is really like.”
That grips me and makes me wonder what comfort zones I have yet to explore and stretch. I have loved watching you challenge your comfort zones and am excited to see how God will use the coming weeks.
HopefulLeigh´s last [type] ..31- Sweet Second Home Alabama
I’m looking forward to hearing your heart and reading your words as you journey. Praying for you!
Jamie @ Six Bricks High´s last [type] ..Family Life Series 2011 Week Two
you may not know how to pray….yet. But, HE knows and HE will put it in your heart. Be still and know…..
xoxo
cat moore´s last [type] ..spiritual gifts scripture
this resonates a lot with how i felt before my trip to kibera, kenya last year. oh goodness. the prayers started quietly overwhelming and by the time i was a breath away my prayers sounded like, “Lord just prepare me. please.”
i just have to say – He is faithful. He knows your fears and your comfort zone will be screaming at you from thousands of miles away when you’re gone, but Jesus meets us in that broken state. promise. praying for your trip. can’t wait to hear what He does through you.
eloranicole´s last [type] ..sad stories are necessary
May this time be such a gift!
Caroline Starr Rose´s last [type] ..Tornado Disaster Relief
So excited for what this trip will be for you and the people you will meet. Praying for you, Emily!
Melissa Brotherton´s last [type] ..Guest Post – Levi Martin
So happy to travel vicariously with you. Thanks for going and for taking us along. : )
Melissa May´s last [type] ..Always
Can’t wait to read more of your grace-filled perspective.
Bonita´s last [type] ..“Create” time
I’m been thinking a lot lately about why I do and don’t do things. I’m slowing coming to realize that I’ve got to let go of fear. Fear is getting in the way of opporunities in my life. Fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of mistakes. I’m (trying) to throw caution to the wind and do what I want, because I WANT to do it. Do things because they are right, not because they are comfortable. Good luck in your adventure.
Jessica S´s last [type] ..Sale plus giveaway
It’s moments like these that make me so grateful for the Holy Spirit- “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26) … may you find rest in the Spirit’s groanings on your behalf as you simmer through this journey!
Mary Beth´s last [type] ..For all of your investigative needs…
That’s right, Emily! The beggars, the broken , the beautiful…compassion with hands and feet. May you have a trip blessed by our Awesome God. May you SEE all He wants you to see and be forever changed.
Mrs.B´s last [type] ..I AM
I think it is true that when we face the biggest things in our lives our prayers become “smaller.” These days I have found myself praying in a hospital waiting room, “Jesus Christ have mercy on us.” That is all, but it is somehow more than enough.
Praying with you as you follow the path He has set before you Emily. I am grateful that you will be taking us with you. My heart needs to see and know.
Linda´s last [type] ..Pruning
I love what you said Linda…so true.
Mrs.B´s last [type] ..I AM
“Now, my deepest prayer is simply, Lord.”
I am praying that for you now, Emily… praying for only Him for all of you.
Is it possible when your heart beats, that you hear someone else’s drum?
I am hearing yours — and His.
Out of our comfort zones… is where we find the Comforter.
More love than the backs of these thin letters can hold…
Ann
Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience´s last [type] ..How Do We Really Treat Jesus
I haven’t read your blog in a while (I know shame on me) but that sounds exciting! God is going to use you to do great things!!! I LOVE LOVR LOVE your sweet moldable heart.
Ah, I feel our Lord so near; so near-He will be with you every.step.of.the.way! HE has heart-interest in this deal; the rate of return will not be able to be measured.
Go well.
Reese´s last [type] ..still celebrating Her
Emily I am so glad the panic is subsiding, I pray u r prepared for its unexpected return (its sneakiness is frustrating) and I feel your prayer of reaching to Him for all He believes u need. I can smell your calming backyard smells & I pray you can store those in ur heart&brain for comfort when the need starts to come. @Ann,how wonderfully u respond to us all….@Jenny &Emily re packing again-roll! And tho u will have to unlock@customs, lock everything! Even the carryons. U wud b amazed@what i’ve had stolen. A dear friend told me years ago “trust in Him & in your Self, humans will let u down”. Whether they mean to or not, it’s our expectations that let us down. You are open & trusting Him–perfect. Keeping u in heart&prayer…
Praying for some more miracle lifting panic–uprooting, really and for more deep breaths than you can imagine possible in this time and really, truly, an excitement…for it is about Him. It is all a gift and the gift is more of Him and all that expands and grows our hearts to know His…though the knowing is but a dim reflection, it is a glory growing…
definitely praying deep heart prayers…:-)
Abby´s last [type] ..just thanks
It’s been my personal experience that whenever I stepped out of my comfort zone, in an effort to try and change someone else’s life, it changed my own in ways I never imagined. You have an army of people praying for you, Emily. You can do all things, through Christ. In your weakness, He will be strong. Go with assurance and confidence.
Dayle´s last [type] ..When a friend has cancer
Oh, Emily. I will be praying for you during this process/trip. I can imagine the necessity to pay close attention to details both about your trip, and every day life in the days leading up to it. God bless.
Btw, Compassion was at our church this weekend. This ministry was fresh on my mind bcs of one of your recent posts. My husband and I took our girls to the information table and we chose a little girl to sponsor. She doesn’t have a mama or daddy. Her b-day is coming up this summer, and she will be turning 5. Thanks for the inspiration re: Compassion.
Amanda asweetliferocks´s last [type] ..Dont Shut It Down
Oh goodness, I don’t feel I have to bear anything with you except your beautiful, grace-saturated words that will be all over your writing. I am on my knees for you right this second, sweet Mama! Much love to you!
Kristen-Chasing Blue Skies´s last [type] ..For When You Don’t Believe Your Assignment Is Enough
Oh do I know this…
Kelly Sauer´s last [type] ..3 • From Here & There – “Gold”
So sensitive.Best wishes to you
van025´s last [type] ..Start Your GMAT Test Prep Early and Study Consistently