Thankful for Such a Time as This

I sit here in my living room, sipping on a cream soda, reflecting on all that the Lord has done. When I returned to Colorado in May, my emotions were on a high. I was happy to see my family and friends, but I was sadder because I had just left my Khmer family and my IGNITE class. I honestly didn’t want to be back. Besides the fact of my family and friends and completing the IGNITE program, my thoughts were, “I have nothing keeping me here.” Yet, I knew the Lord was going to have me here for a season. And what a wonderful, blessed season it has been!

It started off really difficult, I was just kind of on my own and in another waiting period. I was frustrated and I felt like I didn’t have a place here. As time went on, I was given more and more tasks and I was getting plugged in at church again. The Lord was changing my heart, teaching me lessons, and using me in ways that I still don’t understand.

Photo Credit: Natalie Garrett

As what I was tasked with began to unfold for the summer, I fell in love with the ministry and the people I have had the honor of serving alongside (putting aside the fact that they were already my friends). The Lord put me through situations, testing my trust in Him with my family (again).

It’s beautiful that the Lord reminds me time and time again, that it isn’t me, but all Him, and I must trust Him! God surrounded me with friends and mentors, old and new; brothers and sisters in Christ, that encouraged and blessed me this whole season. And I pray, despite new seasons beginning for all of us, that we can stay connected in such a way as this, although I know it will be different. I am just blessed to know that it’s Christ that connects us.

We ended our summer with cliff jumping at Paradise Cove and a bonfire. As we were seated around the fire, snacking on pizza and watermelon, guitars strummed, voices sang to our Creator, and I couldn’t help but bask in the moment. Mesmerized by the flames, I thought, “I am thankful for such a time as this.” A time that I am never going to get back. It may be manifested in a different way in the future, but it will never be the same. And I was taken back to the closing season in Cambodia, when I realized that same thing. As I continue on this journey the Lord has for me, each season has its gifts.  I see now, in those moments when time slows down and you’re surrounded by those you call family, you can’t take it back, you can’t recreate it, you can just seek the Lord and rejoice in it. Eucharisteo.