Be Encouraged…You ARE what it takes.

3AM and just 2 hours until we leave for the airport.  I just couldn’t sleep and then justified my silly inability to sleep by telling myself I was preparing myself for the 11 hour time change amazingly preemptively.  I made a cup of decaf coffee so I didn’t have to grind any beans and make too much noise as the rest of my house is sleeping.  I sliced some banana walnut bread with m&m chocolates. David is the neighbor of our dreams who brings us fresh yummy baked deliciousness on an occasional Saturday morning and yesterday was no exception.

As I sit down in the dining room and open up my laptop computer I touch it one last time before I say good-bye for the next 40 days.  I begin to relax in my own thoughts and just as I am settling in I am jolted and I am temporarily distracted by a few things I have forgotten.  A towel, a razor, a favorite sweatshirt, extra zip ties and my make-up.  I scurry around to gather these necessities  and now I think everything is downstairs and by the front door so I shouldn’t have to lose my focus.  Planning and packing and help from so many for days and still my own personal items get packed last as they are not the treasures that “might change a life”.  Mental Note: I think Shana might need to work on a packing spreadsheet for Fall.  Hee Hee 🙂

Back to my reflections.  It’s amazing how ordinary I am.  How ordinary my friends are.  YET…when we decide to do whatever it is that God puts before us and we set aside our own inhibitions for his glory, we can really appear courageous…as my friend Amy would say, like a warrior for greatness.  As ordinary people, parents, individuals with all walks of life… WE ARE WHAT IT TAKES.  I just think that is so cool.

We are what it takes to brighten someones day with a smile, as Katrina was mentioning today and is something she loves to do.  We are what it takes to show love and kindness to others around us.  I didn’t graduate from Harvard or Stanford or one of those that makes people take notice.  I have never been famous for a really cool youtube video that went viral or famous for anything for that matter.  I am not the sleekest in fashion or fitness.  Yet I AM WHAT IT TAKES.

I have said yes to leaving my place of comfort, whether in the physical or emotional sense.  I use my legs to carry me up and down the mountain in Arjo and my smile to greet those around me, most of the time.  I have stretched myself with unique to me tools that make coping with challenges easier like a urinary re-director, dry shampoo, a snugly sleeping bag and dry fit clothing that lets me pit-out and dry-out quickly.

You Are What it takes.  Never discount and downplay being a courageous warrior right where you are at this moment in life.  Pray for others who are around you, smile broadly and share kind words.  When you can challenge yourself and prepare and plan and gather with others for a plan bigger than you…go for it!  YOU ARE WHAT IT TAKES.  Don’t give up.  It’s not small thing when you give of yourself, especially when what you feel like the gift you have to give feels like less.  Less than what “those other people” have.  Give it boldly, let those teeth shine in that smile, share in kindness with baked goods, or tutoring a friends kid, or watching everywhere for what God is doing and how you can join him, because with HIM…

WE ALL ARE ENOUGH.