Adios Honeymoon Phase

You want to learn about yourself? Like, REALLY learn? 

Move to another country.

Throughout the months leading up to leaving for Mexico, all we heard were statements such as:

      “That’s so awesome that you are willing to do that. I could never do something like that.”
      “I am just so impressed by you guys! Living out your calling! Wow, what a dream!”
     “Geez, that takes some real heart! God must have made you pretty special!”

Of course we always replied with a humble “It’s not us, it’s God!” kind of response. But I think I let more of those comments go to my head than I ever would have realized.

Subconsciously, I must have thought I was pretty awesome. I must have somehow built up in my mind that God had called us to go to Mexico because we had superpowers and talents far beyond the average human. Well my bubble burst, my parade was rained on, and Nathan’s ear drums were severely damaged when I saw the first cockroach in my new home. After a rant that went something like:

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! KILL IT!!!!!! KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!!!!!!  CHOP ITS HEAD OF WITH A BUTCHER KNIFE!! TEAR IT LIMB FROM LIMB! I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU DO JUST GET IT OUT OF HEEEEEERRRREEEEE!!!”

I realized I wasn’t as awesome as I thought I was. And Mexico wasn’t going to be a magic fairytale land where I tell children about Jesus, they grab onto that truth, and we can ride off into the sunset on unicorns sharing a chocolate sprinkled ice-cream cone and singing songs about the sunshine.

Truth is, there are a lot more stray dogs that chase and nip at you than there are unicorns (believe it or not). There is more sadness than singing. More ants than sprinkles. And a lot more bean and egg tacos than there are ice cream cones.

The honeymoon phase is definitely over. And that left me feeling somewhat hopeless as to what the heck God was thinking when he asked us to move here!!

But I was comforted by a few simple words written by Stuff Christians like blogger Jon Acuff. 

“I often feel that I am in the midst of a great adventure from God. We talk about “calling” in our culture a lot, and going on “missions” for God. Sometimes, though, I put tremendous pressure on myself to make sure I don’t mess up that mission. Deep down, I secretly feel that if I fail, God’s design for my life, my community, Nashville, the world, etc. will not come together.

But here is something I recently wrote on a note, for me, that might also be a note for you:

The success of God’s plans are not dependent on my ability to execute them.

He will not be handcuffed by my failures or unleashed by my accomplishments. He is bigger than that.

The next time the enemy tries to tell you otherwise, remind yourself that’s a lie. God invites us into his story out of love, not employment. The pressure of perfection is off. We’ve got a perfect God.”

Every day is not going to be daisies and lemon drops. It is going to be hard. And quite frankly, it might suck at times.

But we are still certain that this is where we should be.

For such a time as this...


                                                    -Whitney