BITTERSWEET \ˈbi-tər-ˌswēt\: something that's pleasant and painful at the same time
Ah, I wish I had about three days to update the blog on everything that's happening... all that's transpiring... everything we're feeling. We'll continue to share little by little, but this process is all too bittersweet.
It's truly pleasant and beautiful, and yet definitely painful. We knew this journey would be difficult, but I don't know if we realized how much we would have to rely on Him each and every step of the way. My heart leaps for joy when I think about that He has chosen us, but my heart aches when I think about leaving our family, our friends, our comfortable surroundings, our house, our church, our sweet Bambino.
We're learning that it's often difficult to be called for His purposes -- to have this call on our lives to sell absolutely everything and move across the world with just a few suitcases -- to give up everything we have here to build His Kingdom, to live out loud. Not everyone understands, not everyone agrees, not everyone is happy. As a recovering people-pleaser, that's tough.
But we know that God is truly at the very center of this journey. And when that doubt, indecision or discouragement sets in, that's when I think we find we're most in awe of who He is... and His plan for us. His blessings, His provision, His peace... His desires for us. We're constantly reminded that we're being molded, shaped, and transformed into whom He wants us to be.
Last night we had dear friends and their kiddies out for dinner (fish tacos -- insert excessive drooling here!) and to chat about plans for an August golf tournament with profits helping to fund our Journey to Swaziland. What an amazing thing and an incredible honor -- just more awe on our end. If you're a golfer, a business, or interested in more information, email Stephen (stephen.prince@childrenscup.org) and he'll get you in touch with 'his people'.
Anyway, at the end of the evening, our friends left and Steph did bedtime routines while I cleaned up the kitchen. Steph came into see me after tucking in Ave, and his eyes were welled with tears. He told me that when they got into Avery's room there was a song on the radio about 'sacrifice'. The word was repeated several times, and although they weren't familiar with the song, it definitely stuck out to both of them without really realizing it.
Ave, out of the blue, said "Dad, wouldn't it be great if the world would sacrifice?"
Steph said, "Ave, if the world sacrificed there would be no more hungry kids in Africa. So, that's what we're doing by going to Swaziland. We're going to sacrifice so maybe they can have a better life."
Avery paused and said, "Dad, I think we can change the world."
WOW.
God is busy molding, shaping, and transforming us. And, although there will no doubt be bittersweet growing pains and seasons, we're the proud 'stewards' of a seven-year-old who recognizes in his heart that sacrifice is a beautiful thing.
"In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich." -Henry Ward Beecher