The much-anticipated date on the calendar finally arrived! My baby girl is back home! After eight seemingly-long weeks she has returned from her mission. I must admit, I missed her more than I thought imaginable! I've been a mother for 29 years. Twenty-nine years! That's a long time! For the past 29 years I've had a child or children in my home. So, as you might imagine, it was pretty quiet at my house this summer. No children! Well, not on a regular basis, living there. Yes, we were blessed to have, at some point, all four grandchildren with us, from time to time. And of course, we had college kids at the house every Sunday night! But it's just not the same as having your own child there.
Though I missed her terribly, having Bethany gone was not quite as bad as I thought it would be. I busyed myself with church and work activities, vacationed with the family, minus Bethany - twice, and went to visit my sisters and Mom in West Florida. Jeff and I had many, many nice nights together, going to dinner and just spending time with each other -- something we have not done in a long time! I guess when the time comes, I will be able to handle this empty-nest thing! But for now, I am so glad she is back home. We already have plans to do lunch, shop, go to the beach, sit by the pool, maybe go get pedicures, and whatever else we can think of for our girl time together! I can't wait!
Along with Bethany, several students in our college ministry went out to do missions this summer. Last night at The Haven, our college Bible study and hang-out time at our home, a few of them shared their experiences with the group. I listened to a precious young lady share about working with orphans in Russia and how through that experience God revealed many things to her. I heard a couple of our young men share about their experiences in Argentina this past week and how God used them for specific, God-appointed purposes! And finally, I sat and listened in awe, as my own 19-year old daughter shared about her ministry this summer and how God used her to further His Kingdom by touching the lives of children and youth throughout South Florida. I was such a proud mom. Proud, not because she went to South Florida to do Vacation Bible School with kids from every ethnic background you can imagine; not because she lived for the past eight weeks on her own, being a real, responsible adult, having to make adult decisions; not because she was able to meet new people and have new life experiences. But proud, because my baby girl let God use her for His glory! She was very quick to share with the group that it was nothing that she did, but it was all what God did through her, that she was able to accomplish anything at all!
As with each of the young missionaries I listened to last night, including my own precious daughter, the message that resounded loudly to me, was that when you allow God to take you out of your comfort zone, He can and will do amazing things through you! And you will never be the same! At age 52, I've come to realize that I need to get out of my comfort zone and allow God to use me the way He wants to. I realize that I need to do more than just want to get out of my comfort zone; I've got to take positive steps in that direction. One step we, as a family, have decided to take is to learn another language. Bethany shared with us that she worked with many children this summer who were bi-lingual and some even spoke three or more languages. If we are going to be available for God to use us wherever He wants, then we need to be prepared! This will just be the first step in what, I pray will be many more in getting out of my comfort zone.
There is something else I have come to realize this summer; my baby girl is not a baby anymore!
"I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “ Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
