As we finalize preparations for our trip to Nicaragua, I’m experiencing a broad range of emotions–mostly excitement, but if I’m being honest, I should mention anxiety, fear, and anger as well. Yes, anger. This week, Travis has battled a nasty eye infection, and Brooke has been fighting a virus that resulted in an ear infection.  I have struggled with my lack of control in these situations.  I’ve prayed, trying to surrender my concerns to God, but it’s been tough. Last night I felt unsettled and needed to step away from the suitcases to regroup.  When I sat on the couch next to my husband, he flipped on the television, stopping to watch Garth Brooks in concert.  Several of Garth’s songs have a special place in my heart.  “The River” is a great example.

• When I was in high school, I used lyrics from “The River” as my senior quote:  “So don’t you sit upon the shoreline and say you’re satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide.”
• I sang this song to our girls every night when they were babies.
• When I went on a mission trip to Mexico, the ladies in our group attended a quinceanera for one of the girls. I included the lyrics of this song (in Spanish) with my gift for the teen.

When I heard the first few notes of my favorite song while watching the concert on television last night, a sense of peace washed over me. I paid close attention to the lyrics and thought about how they affected me at that moment. One line stuck with me. “And there’s bound to be rough waters, and I know I’ll take some falls. But with the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.”  These words served as a reminder that God’s hands have been at work, preparing us for this trip long before we had the idea to register. He’s got this, obstacles and all, and I need to trust Him–with everything.

I chose to write this blog post with the hope that my writing will inspire others to get involved.  When we allow God to work in and through us, we can use our talents and gifts to bless others.  What makes your heart break?  I encourage you to explore those feelings and work toward being a solution to the problem. You don’t need to travel the globe, but consider getting involved in your community.  When we serve others from a place of love, we can make this crazy, broken world a better place.

“Life is not tried, it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.”

–Garth Brooks  Standing Outside the Fire