When Life Gives You Lemons

title image from Pixabay

Summer 2016.
This summer was epic … amazing … adventurous – but most importantly, I was able to heed the call of missions.
I traveled across the Atlantic.  I went on a three month trip.  I was able to reach out to a village that I would not be able to reach here in Virginia.  Loving the little children that came into my path unconditionally.
I was able to see the joy on a person's face when I handed them their own Fante Bible.  I got to see the joy in children's eyes when they got flip flops.  I was able to share the Gospel with several people.  I was able to see how much impact a simple card can have on a person's life.  I was able to give hugs to people and see how that simple act of love changed their day.

Yes that's right, I went to Africa this summer!

This opportunity had me so excited … ecstatic … bewildered … anxious … nervous … you name it, I felt it!

My family, friends, and I prayed for God's will to be made evident.  We fervently prayed for God to open and close doors according to His will.

{A huge hug and thank you to those of you who prayed with me every step of the way!}

I knew God could do anything – I knew He could close doors, but He didn't.  May 31st I set foot in Ghana.  I couldn't believe I was actually there … it felt like a dream, and I didn't want to wake up!  I was ready to impact this country for His Kingdom … haha okay, I was pumped :)

Then it happened.  One month into my trip and I made a stupid mistake.  I won't go into detail, but the struggle that I face here in America followed me to Ghana.  However, this struggle was ever more present, and came to me stronger than ever before.  I lost sight of everything and became “best friends” with the world.

One minute I was focused on what the purpose of my trip was, and the next minute … the focus had changed.

When my parents found out all that I was going through, I was so embarrassed.  I knew I couldn't change my huge mistake.  I knew that I would have to live with it the rest of my life.  I knew (deep down) that I would suffer heartbreak.  I also knew that my parents would be disappointed in me … they had a right to be. However, to my surprise, they weren't mad/angry/upset.  Instead, they offered encouragement and took the news like champs.  Sure they were disappointed, but instead of showing that disappointment, they extended mercy.

To say that I'm hurt is an understatement.

But I just have to remember that God has a bigger plan for my life than what I can fathom.

Sure I can't change my mistake, and yes I have to live it the rest of my life.
But there is a reason that God allowed me to go through this struggle.  Do I know what the reason is?  No of course not, and I don't need to know at this time.  But I can learn from my mistake and move on with life.

Sure I'm hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed with myself.
But this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to extend mercy to myself.  I need to learn how to move on and not wallow in self pity, or become even more depressed.  I have to overcome this hurt.

I can't let hurt control my life.



The other night, God led me to a passage in Scripture:

“But as for me, I would seek God, 

And to God I would commit my cause - 

Who does great things, and unsearchable, 

Marvelous things without number.”  Job 5:8-9

That's exactly what I've done – I've committed my cause to the Lord.

I'm excited to see what great things He has in store for me the rest of the year.  I know they will be unimaginable and unfathomable to me – but I trust God.  I am finally willing to move on, and not let this hurt + disappointment steal my joy and contentment!

Life has given this gal lemons …

… anyone care for some lemonade? ;)