One Day More

I've never blogged before.  In fact, 7 years ago when I started my illustrious career with Young Life, I had never even texted before.  My friend Tracie had to convince me that Facebook was a worthwhile waste of time. (I'm still not convinced that it is.)  So as I set out to put my thoughts down through my laptop, just remember I warned you.  This is non-professionalism at it's finest!

We are leaving for New York/Israel tomorrow.  One day to get everything packed and organized for this exciting adventure.  I am a planner by nature, but this trip and figuring everything out for 6 people has kicked my butt. Not too mention trying to bleach and then dye my daughters very bright teal-colored hair so that we do not offend any of our conservative friends in Israel. Well, it didn't work.  I spent 18 hours of the last two days and I managed to get it back to the original teal color.  (It was pale green, hunter green, kelly green, and sea green.  But never a normal color.) Sigh. I know God has a plan but I can't seem to figure out how Rachel's crazy hair fits into it!

One day more to prepare.  The anticipation and anxiety are deafening. What if we miss a flight? What if someone gets separated? What if we eat something funky? What if my OCD difficult 16 year old has a breakdown in the middle of a foreign country? What if? And then God reminds me that He is ever before me and behind me. That His hand is upon me, guiding me. Directing me. Leading me. Leading us to the Promise Land. Giving us a taste of where Jesus loved and served and was broken. Opening our eyes to things we have not seen, could not see. A glimpse of another facet of Himself.

I wonder if Jesus felt this way when he had only one day more? If he felt the anticipation and anxiety? Did he know exactly what would happen? Did he worry about his disciples having breakdowns? Was he reminded of Psalm 139? I often wonder about the little things in Jesus' life. The small nuances. Facial expressions, tone of his voice, body language.  Maybe it's because I often wish he was physically here to touch, hug, speak to, cry to. It's why I loved the two books Ann Rice wrote about Jesus' life. Yes, there was a lot of extrapolation, but she filled in details that I long to know. She helped Jesus to become 3D.

One day more. If you're reading this, pray for us. Pray for safety and great connections and good food. Pray for compatibility between sisters and friends and spouses. But mostly pray for our hearts. That we would be changed. That each day would be "one day more" closer to knowing the heart of God. One day more of finding life to the full as we walk in Jesus' hometown. One day more of being molded into the shape of our Savior. One day more.

Psalm 139:5 - "You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me."