If you asked me to describe myself, 'adventurous' would not be an adjective I would use. I've never been prone to venture outside of my comfort zone. I prefer to stick to my routine.
But I am a very determined individual. And I made my mind up a long time ago that if something terrifies me, I should make every effort to attempt it--within reason, of course.
When God made me, he knew I would need a man who would take me on lots of adventures. And, also, to send me on them.
Not because I bore easily, but because I would never do the things that terrify me if I didn't. If I had married a man who was content to let me stay at home (and I would because I'm a homebody), then I wouldn't get to meet the wonderful people I have met on all my adventures. And I wouldn't have the stories to share.
Before we got married, Kelly took me on lots of adventures. Sometimes, it was just to the a different town. We'd take the back way. He'd forget which road to turn on. And we'd end up stopping for directions and a bag of candy along the way.
Other times, I would yell, "Stop the car! I have to get a picture of that ______!" And he would dramatically turn the car in the direction of my pointed finger, stopping for a silly picture of a cow.
We've had lots of adventures. We still have lots of adventures, even though we're married now. I often joke that the one lesson my husband has helped me master in this life is that we really don't know what each day may bring. We never really know what God will spring on us.
I am notorious for planning out my whole day. Walk the dogs at 9:15 am. Clean the house from 10:30-11:30 am. Have lunch. Catch up on paperwork 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm. Prepare dinner 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Wash dishes. Put in a load of laundry. Put up my feet and relax.
I'll even tell my husband my plans so he won't send me on those crazy adventures that come with being married to a very, very busy man. But within an hour, he'll usually calling me and sending me off on an adventure I really didn't plan on going on. Sometimes, it's to Tulsa with him to pick up a car. Other times, I'm meeting customers to drop off paperwork.
Even though these adventures put a big dent in my day, I have learned that they are always God's way of shaking things up and teaching me to go--willingly--wherever he leads.
Recently, I did my whole "I'm cleaning the house today" routine to my husband. Which means: I haven't showered. Don't let anyone near the house. Don't send me on errands. I really need to stay home and mop. Seriously, I have no idea what that black stain is under the refrigerator. The dogs won't even go near it. I need one day off. Please?
30 minutes later...
I was rushing around to get dressed and throwing the cleaning supplies back under the sink. My husband was sending me on yet another adventure. And this time, after days of running around with no break (hence the dirty house), I made sure to remind him repeatedly that I really needed a day off in the very near future.
Hurriedly, I drove off to meet a client that was waiting on me. But when I arrived, the door was locked. There were no cars in sight. It was just me, Zailey (the dog), and the teenage kid that parked next to me. I called my husband repeatedly, trying to figure out if I was at the right building. No response.
Finally, the dog huffed from the backseat and laid down. And I began laughing.
I realized that God's constantly using my husband to illustrate a wonderful truth to me. We are always on-call for God. Always. There are no days off. And when we've been going for days--unable to catch up on sleep and the time needed to rejuvenate ourselves--we have to keep going.
I don't always enjoy going on the adventures that my husband and God send me on, but I never come home wishing I had had the day off. I always thank God that I have exactly what I need to help others--especially my husband.
God has used Kelly time and time again to disrupt my peaceful days and remind me that I'm always up for an adventure so long as God is leading the way. And on those occasions when my husband is sitting beside me, I'm grateful that I'm not on this adventure alone.
My pastor always says, "You only have a set number of days here." So, go on those adventures willingly. Take the detours. Life is meant to be lived by God's will--not mapped out by our own hands.
Sometimes, I forget to thank God for the good and bad he brings to my days. I'm so focused on what I need that I forget God provides all my needs for me so I can meet the needs of those around me.
Enjoy the adventures. You won't regret it.
--Jessica
No comments:
Post a Comment