Last Monday we sat down for a long-awaited meeting with our team leader, area leader and member care guy. All wonderful men. Phil and I thought we were discussing our future, hearing their concerns, they hearing ours and seeking a mutually agreeable conclusion.
It came as a shock, then, when about half way through, Mr Member Care observed that our leaders had made a decision and we thought we were discussing options. The decision had been made in February. We had not realized that because of words like "recommend" and "suggest." The reality came home very hard and for me the room began to reel.
It is the first time in my adult life where someone else has made a decision for me which profoundly affected my future in which I have not had a single word. This was hurtful. The consequences of the decision are far-reaching and painful. I have a new respect for the military: they go wherever they are told to go. I have a new understanding of servanthood: they do what they are told to do.
I've used the battle metaphor for our work in Mozambique, but I've been a volunteer. I've used the servant metaphor, but I've been serving those who "need" me and usually in my capacity and on my terms. Now I need to think of myself as a servant of our team leaders.
My life is not going to ever look the same again. We are being relocated from Quelimane. My email address will mock me: Karen in Where? Not Q, not any more.
As I struggle with hurt, disappointment, frustration and anger; going through all the "if onlys" and "what abouts" I feel the sucking vortex of self-pity. Lord, keep us all from that one.
Know what came to me today? Those Israelites in the wilderness. For healing all they had to do was look up. That's all they had to do, for heaven's sake. Look up at the snake. Look up, instant healing. Well, my healing won't be instant: I'm not a snake bite victim. But I will heal if I look up. His voice came to me in the chaos and said "look up." Don't be pulled into the pros and cons and arguments. Don't let bitterness and unforgiveness have a foothold.
Lord, keep talking, I want Your voice to be the One that comes in clearly in the Chaos.
3 comments:
Karen, so sorry for the upheaval...God is good, all the time.
It was so good to see you at the Glen. Blessings and mercy to you.
Oh Kare, just know you are being prayed for....Jeremiah 29:11....I pray you will soon "see" His great plan and understand the blessing He has waiting just for you.
My heart hurts for you, Karen...it's not an easy thing to let go of dreams and plans.
How good it is to know that the Lord gives "beauty for ashes" and collects "our tears in a bottle", knowing that there will be "joy in the morning".
I pray that the day will come soon that His perfect plan will be revealed and you will be able to say with confidence "all the ways of the Lord are right".
My prayers go with you...
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