“The linchpin, the engaged one, the graceful actor in an unfolding play — these people don’t seek to only inspect. They’re not traveling in order to tick a checkbox. Instead, they open themselves to the world they bought a ticket to, knowing full well that they will be changed. The toll of making change is that you will be changed.” –Seth Godin, Graceful
You’ll come back changed. He spoke in the dark as we pulled back the sheets. He spoke it loving and encouraging and all I could do was cry. What if I don’t change? What if I’m exactly the same? I don’t want change. I want to stay home and make spaghetti.
Those are the kinds of thoughts I have late at night when it’s all about me and my big self. But when the light comes up behind the trees and night turns itself over into day, I think much differently about our trip. Isn’t that how it always goes? The light carries with it sweet perspective that pours out and stacks up like Tetris blocks, the pattern so obvious you can’t believe you missed it before.
Whether you’re going on vacation or on a mission trip, consider the art of entering into the place where you are. Enter the story that is already taking place, wherever we are, wherever we’re going, and do it with delight. Resist holding on to comfortable like a worn out Linus blanket. Want to hear my new plan for this upcoming trip?
Believe God.
Love people.
Lift up your eyes from the place where you stand.
Leap into the story, eyes wide open.
Listen to the rhythm of a different kind of normal.
And take good notes.
I love that we get to come along on every little thought before your trip. I’m sure so many can relate and I’m sure it’s helping them, too. And, I’m sure it helps you get through it. Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to go on this journey with you more!
xoxo
cat moore´s last [type] ..Serving & My Venture
Thank you, Emily! With an international move imminent for us, this spoke straight to me and my fears today. Looking forward to reading your story in a new place
Alie´s last [type] ..Guess where we’re going today-o!
Wow, Emily!! God knew that i needed to hear this today. This may sound silly to some, but i have been somewhat dreading our upcoming vacation. we are going to be vacationing with my hubby’s extended family for 4 days…25 or more of us all under one roof. talk about different family dynamics! we’re all very different from each other, and family get togethers during the holidays can be challenging enough, to say the least. but we’re doing this as a gift to my precious in-laws for their 50th wedding anniversary. anyway, after reading your post today, i now have a new perspective…i can now look at this trip as an opportunity to connect with unsaved family who will be there. i now want to seek God and ask him to show me what he wants me to get out of this trip rather than ME deciding what i want out of it.
God’s going to bless your faithfulness to go on this trip as he’s led you. and you will be changed…but Emily, the changes will be beautiful and amazing and you and your family will be amazed at what God does.
Can’t wait to hear about it!!
Thankful for you!
~Patty
patty´s last [type] ..Leaning on him…
Well I’m making a note of your post today..wise advice. In fact I think it is great advice for living..anywhere ‘cos the whole world is our mission field whether it’s the person next door or on the other side of the world! I am feeling between tasks at the moment and I was just thinking that is the way God wants it. When we have finished a task for Him it takes time for us to sit still and begin to really wait on Him to be able to listen to that still small voice that will direct us to the new task He has for us and to be able to really let the last one go. Then we can lift up our heads from what is around us, look with new eyes, love afresh and serve Him again.
Naturally Carol´s last [type] ..Frilling!
Emily — as my daughter and I prepare for our own missions trip to El Salvador, where we will also hopefully meet our Compassion child, I can TOTALLY relate to how you feel! And I love your “new plan”
Thanks for sharing. You are an encouragement to me:)
This is what has been heavy on my heart these past few months as I’ve encountered changes on the horizon. Thank you so much for this.
Prayers to you and for your trip. You will come back changed–and it will be good.
Amanda´s last [type] ..I Didnt Know
And what a plan that is, my friend. Love that you are all about the “letting”. Xoxo
Emily, I love your new plan. I’m not embarking on any world changing, life altering mission trip any time soon, but I’m thinking I should be applying that plan of yours to my everyday. So today I will lift up my eyes from the place where I stand. Praying for you as you prepare for this journey.
YES…like Jamie said, applying your thoughts to my everyday now! And keeping my eyes wide open and tilted upward so not to miss His rhythms for me. Love you dearly, Dearie!
Kristen-Chasing Blue Skies´s last [type] ..What to Do When They Bring F5 Emotions
Ok. I want you to know (oh stranger, you…), that I have been thinking about you and your trip. I have five blogs I check in on every day:
1. in(courage)
2. Nester
3. You
4. Emily Clark
5. The Art of Doing Stuff
That’s right…I’m a geek and apparently somewhat of a groupie. Also, potentially a ginormous dork. However, this dork-o has been thinking of you and your trip a lot recently, and here’s why:
I’m a traveler. I travel more than the average American, although less than some. I have been on countless planes and on other continents and across a few oceans. So, when I read your thoughts, I just want to hug you, then take you by the shoulders and hold you at arm’s length, look you square in the eyes and say:
It. Will. Be. Ok. It will!! It will, it will, it will!! Not because you are being whiney or anything, because you aren’t at all. Its this protective, mothering instinct in me because you are so sweetly being vulnerable about your concerns and fears, and this is such a great risk for you. I can speak to the travel part of it and tell you that no matter what happens…no matter what, it will be ok. You might have obstacles (delays, lost luggage, etc. etc). I remember how big those things felt before I had experienced any of them. But now, many moons on the other side of them, they always worked out. I mean it!! I never had an experience that was ruined because of scary logistics of travel and such. God always used them and showed Himself strong, faithful and loving.
And here is why I can truly say it will be ok: because no matter what you come across in the logistics of things, *He* will be the same. He wll be there. He *will* work it together for good. And this will be something you will experience in such a tangible, real way that we will all tear up and grin and sigh over it when you write about it and send us the pictures.
And here’s the best part: He will be all those wonderful things and work all those things for good regardless of whether you feel like you do the process well. Even if you don’t want to go. Even if you spend the *WHOLE* time wishing you were home making spaghetti. He’s still going to be amazing to you and those you go bless.
I just know it!
Wow!
Danielle, your words touched me as well!
Thank you!
Danielle – wonderful post, amazing advice, and isn’t he just wonderful – ‘He will be the same!’ no matter what, how comforting it is, to know that no matter what HE WILL BE THE SAME. What a nurturing, reassuring line. Thank you
I have similiar thoughts, Danielle!
Petra
Petra´s last [type] ..Tramadol for dogs before vet effects
I’m a frequent reader but an infrequent commenter, Emily. But this one is drawing me out. It beautifully expresses that tension where we have to live — between dreaming about what could be (maybe even who God is calling us to be) and living in the treasured moment.
I am excited to read your notes from the Philippines. You are covered in prayer.
Y’all sure do know how to inspire courage in a girl’s heart.
Emily´s last [type] ..the art of change
Quite inspirational. Changes are hard to anticipate but they are constant and sometimes could be so subtle – we fail o realize they actually happened.
Excellent article!
Jason Mitchev´s last [type] ..VA Beach Dentist- Choosing Virginia Beach Dentist Guide
You’ve done it again! You’ve allowed God to use you to speak to my heart.
Generally I choose the high path…because I know HE has placed me there. But, today, after not sleeping well and waking up in pain, I did. not. want. to. be. good. I wanted to step off the path and wallow in my emotions. After almost 2 years of waiting on God for my husband’s new ministry position I just wanted to give up. It seems easier. This wasn’t God’s plan. But…God doesn’t seem to be bothered by that. He seems more interested in what I will do through this time. HE knows there’s the perfect position someday, somewhere. And then as uncomfortable as this is….I find myself finding comfort here, because it is the known…and the unknown is such a fearsome place. And so though I have done all that you noted. I needed badly to be reminded. And most of all. To be reminded to let go of that blanket and believe God. For years we taught kids, “I can Trust God no matter what.” I can. I can. One day I will be able to step back and see a beautiful painting wrought only by the hand of God. Thank you for reminding me to let HIM pick me up and paint that beautiful picture with my surrendered life.
{hugs)
‘Leap into the story, eyes wide open’ – what a remarkable sentence, so inspiring, challenging, encouraging and authentic all at once.
Thank you.
I will pray for you on your trip Emily.
Nics
I’ve been praying for you Emily!! I’m excited to see hear how God touches your heart.
Incidentally, I’m going on a trip with our newborn and this post is reminder to let the worries go and embrace these moments!
You will come home & make spags, dear Emily. Funny how the sunshine of His love in the day opens us to new & scarywonderfulheartbreaking twists&turns, and yet we will not only be who we are, who we’ve come to be, we’ll be better for it. Through Him & the scarywonderfulheartbreak we felt before the sun came up&opened our eyes. And you are still in my heart&prayers daily….i hope to be doing relaxation&yoga breathing with you when you take off. Will you allow me to do that for both of us?
-s-the worrier with panix,too…
Lovely, honest, hopeful words. LOVE that Tetris image, along with every other single thing you ever write. We know that God has gone before you, will meet you there and yes, you will be changed. And we can’t wait to hear how. Your writing is a gift to us all.
Thank you for this encouragement! My husband is a pastor at a big church here in the Seattle area, and in 3 weeks we’re moving down to the East Bay, CA to plant a church. Talk about change! We’re eager to begin, but life will be rocked to the core in the next couple of years. I especially like “leap into the story, eyes wide open-” that’s what I want to do!
I love you for sharing this today. I am going on a mission trip to Ethiopia in July and I am going to print this out and keep it with me so that I can read it over and over and remind myself WHY I am there, even when my heart is breaking. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
kim´s last [type] ..Almost There
Sounds like a plan Emily. I will be home praying, but I am ready to be changed. Isn’t it amazing the way He works? You step out into change and He uses that to work changes in the ones you touch. I am proud of you for going and praying that He will do great things in and through you.
Linda´s last [type] ..Guest Posting – Around the Table
You are going to have so much fun, and learn so much on your trip. I love this way of looking at it, like jumping into a story that is rapidly unfolding. Kind of like when you jump into a double dutch jump rope, and how it scares you, but makes you smile at the same time.
Good luck friend!
Beautiful plan for what will be a beautiful trip. Not necessarily beautiful in the way a vacation would be but beautiful in a life changing, awe inspiring, God filled way that only a mission trip can be.
CheezyK´s last [type] ..Contemplation
Do it, sister! You will be great.
Tracey´s last [type] ..13 years ago today
So good!! My journey is not to the Philippines, but God is making changes in my life this summer. I will be implimenting your plan as well, since I have no control over the other aspects of God’s plan for us. Haha!
Praying for you on your trip, Emily, and so excited to read what happens!
Melissa Brotherton´s last [type] ..The Weight of Glory
Hi! I clicked over from Compassion’s website. I can’t wait to see the things you share. Praying for a safe trip for you and the team.
Everyone else is resonating with your beautifully stated lessons at the end of the post. I teared-up at the line “I just want to stay home and make spaghetti.” That’s pretty much my life. But I live in the mission field every day of raising foster/adopt girls, one of whom spent the week in a depressive rage that I’m wishing I could run away from instead of having to engage and help her heal. If you can go to the Philippines instead of making pasta, I can keep this up.
Laurie Wallin´s last [type] ..Anyone Else Need Perspective 4 Ways to Get It Today
Like this blog’s design, and also every words posted here, feel kind of confortable.
Beautiful post! So many people travel the world but never really get anything, because they’re stuck in their own bubble. It takes courage to venture out and really open yourself up to new experiences and points of view – but if you do, there’s so much more for you to cherish that this world has to offer you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Ramin @ Persönlichkeitsentwicklung´s last [type] ..Wissenschaftliche Studien über das Lächeln
Hi Emily
Up to my knees as a ‘beginner blogger’ and found your blog.
delicate design
whimsical and wise words
fantastic fotos
Gonna consult the WP tutorial and see how to load you to my blog http://www.blog.mycube4change.com to read and be inspired regularly.
Kim
Hi i am new to your blog…Loved the whole look and feel of your blog and you write really well…