I still remember the day I left home for the very first time. It was July 2013. I was heading to the United States to pursue a higher education. Since then, to this day, travel, and being ‘displaced’ has just become a way of life, and oddly enough, I have absolutely loved it. I say ‘oddly’ because this is not a life I could have ever imagined for myself. Leaving home wasn’t an eventuality I had planned, or even hoped for. My dreams were very different, and not even remotely close to my current reality.

Every now and then I walk down memory lane. I think about all the things I wanted to do, and all that I wanted to be. My life definitely didn’t shape out the way I intended it. In my grand plan, there was no room for uncertainty. No room for questions about my next steps, or concerns about my life’s direction. But God’s plan… Oh man! His plans are so much better and greater and grander than anything my finite mind could conjure up. In His plan, there is always uncertainty, always a challenge, and most definitely a multitude of questions about direction and His sovereign will. Each of these excruciating realities however, have done nothing but stretch my faith, and force me to cling to Jesus Christ, the author and the finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2), and my very firm and steadfast anchor of faith (Hebrews 6:19). 

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 3:20 which refers to Christ as one who is able to do exceedingly more abundantly than we can ever ask or imagine. I often wonder at the writer’s use of the phrase ‘ask or imagine.’ And the more I think about it, the more I look back at where I was, how far I’ve come, where I am, and where I could be going, I understand the power of that phrase – This life I live today, I could never have imagined it. If I could never imagine it, how could I ever ask for it? Sure, there is a lot I want from life, and there’s a lot that one might say I’ve missed out on. But my life is a testament to the fact that trusting in the Lord with all of my heart and not leaning on my own understanding, acknowledging Him in all of my ways, has never deemed a vain endeavor. He has always made my path straight. Always.

For the most part I love my life. I’ve gotten used to being away from home, away from family, away from the familiarity of my native tongue. But when the holidays come around, it hits hard. You come to feel deeply, all the things you’ve said “No” to, in order to say “Yes” to the life you currently live. I typically have no regrets whatsoever. But when Christmas comes, I tend to wish things were different. Anyone away from home would resonate with that sentiment I suppose.

An aspect of the Christmas story that I absolutely love, is the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her cousin Elizabeth. Luke chapter one records the angel Gabriel’s encounter with Mary and the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ. After giving her the details of this miracle child, the angel says to her (vs 36-37), “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth herself has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called infertile is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” In the very next passage we read that Mary rushed to meet her cousin. 

I think about this often. Why did the angel tell Mary about Elizabeth? Why was that news so important that it was the continuation to Mary’s call to action, obedience and sacrifice? You know what I think? I think it was because the angel wanted Mary to see that she wasn’t alone. The journey she was on, the one with this massive calling to be the mother of Jesus, was going to be alien, unbelievable, and beyond comprehension to anyone who isn’t in the same boat. No one in their right mind, would understand what Mary was dealing with, nor would they believe it. Ah, but not her cousin. Elizabeth knew. Elizabeth understood. Elizabeth was on a similar journey.

As a humanitarian aid worker, I often find myself at a loss of words when describing my world to someone who hasn’t tasted this life. How can I explain why I would run into a disaster when the world is running away from it? How do I unravel to you the beauty of doing life in the tragedy? How do I express the immeasurable joy I feel in making a difference to one person, even if I’m not directly involved? How do I show you that it’s worth it? It really, truly is.

This Christmas was a quiet and intimate one. I spent it with two of my friends who couldn’t go home for the holidays. On Christmas Eve I made them a fancy dinner. We dressed up for no reason and pretended to be boujee. That didn’t last long – I think we ended up being goofier than boujee. We then decided we wanted to go on carol rounds, because, why not? So, with a guitar and a cajon in tow, the three of us went from door to door, knocking, and belting out “Deck the halls”, “Joy to the world” and “Feliz Navidad.” I don’t know who was more entertained – We, or our forced audience. On Christmas day, our entire base, about 13 people, went out for lunch, and then in the evening we had cookies, hot cocoa, the white elephant gift exchange, and more carols. My two friends and I ended the night with a cute movie. In that moment, at that time, my day was perfect. My Christmas was perfect. And I was so grateful for these people alongside who I could do life. The best part, they understood my life, what I felt, who I missed, how I could both enjoy being here, and still want to be far, far away. This tiny community that I had, was the family that God chose to place in my life right now, and for them, I’m grateful.

As you step into the threshold of a brand new year, I want to encourage you today – Who has God placed in your path? Who is walking this journey alongside you? Who can you look at today and know they will understand? Who can you look at today and say that you get them? Life was never meant to be done alone. God has placed people in your life to share your journey – Your friends, family, neighbor, colleague, acquaintance. You are not alone. Mary had Elizabeth. Who do you have? Look around. Maybe you’re a Mary today, in need on an Elizabeth. Or maybe you are an Elizabeth, with the ability to walk alongside a Mary. Who can you encourage? Who can you seek encouragement from?

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

Happy New Year 2022!
May this year be a testament to God’s unfailing goodness and faithfulness.