Saturday, July 21, 2007

And She's Off ...





"Righteous Father, the world has never known you, But I have known you, and these disciples know That you sent me on this mission. I have made your very being known to them— Who you are and what you do— And continue to make it known, So that your love for me Might be in them Exactly as I am in them." John 17:24b

Your precious cargo will board a plane today
packing more than just clothes in their suitcases
one small step for GCC, one giant leap for Sarah
a week of firsts
first plane trip
first time out of the country
first mission trip
I remember my first mission trip
how your heart breaks and overflows all at once
how you feel like someone tore off the outer protective layer of your skin
and you're left with this raw awareness of your own insignificance
and yet your own purpose all at once
how hard physical labor somehow feels like your favorite sport
and your biggest fear is no longer Americana social rejection
but rather that you aren't able to help enough
or that you've wasted the last few years of your life with nonsense
I tried to explain it to her in some blind effort to prepare her
but it was like trying to talk with peanut butter in my mouth
or when Mom tried to explain motherhood to me before Lauren
or when scripture glosses over until I fumble through a challenge and look back
she is in for the ride of her life
and the best part comes when she realizes Who's really driving
I lean in anticipating Your blessings to come for all involved
and for this incredible girl
who for the last nine months
has been walking toward You
may all that's stripped away
only strengthen her sensation of You
in this week of sprinting and spending


"And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10

1 comment:

Sarah (Koutz) Johnson said...

I'm so proud of Sarah. I can't wait to hang out with her and hear all about what God did while she was there. Thanks for the e-mail.