When the River Looks Dry

At the moment, I am on my way back to Virginia from what I am calling my "World Tour" on a

On the Bus!!

Greyhound bus. I flew to Mississippi; however,  I decided to make the trip back from Biloxi, Mississippi to Hampton, Virginia on a bus. It will take approximately 26 hours to make the trip (I can drive it in around 14.5 hours) and I am starting to wonder if it was a wise decision. I chose the bus because one way plane tickets were way too expensive, and the bus was cheaper than renting a car and driving... but still... 26 hours on a bus... ask me if I would do it again when you see me. At the  moment, I see it as a unique adventure and a chance to pray and catch up on things. Thus... blogging on a bus :)

During the past week I have visited both Ohio and Mississippi to see friends and family as well as work on support raising. I will admit, I was possibly overconfident on what the upcoming week held and I had MY OWN expectations about what it would look like. Well... once again... I was wrong. Initially, I expected enthusiasm and encouragement from my family. That didn't go exactly how I planned it. Even though I did receive a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm from most of my family... I also received skepticism and lack of understanding. It's always hard when those closest to you are skeptical of what you are doing.

Following that, I expected to receive more monthly commitments than I received. Unfortunately, the vast majority of my friends and family are facing MAJOR CRISES at the moment. Whether a friend recently had surgery, an upcoming court date, a recent job loss, the purchase and remodel of a new home, the birth of a new baby, or a scheduling conflict that kept us from meeting many of my friends and family are not able to give at the moment. AND YES, THAT IS O.K. 

My GREAT Nephew

Please don't take this the wrong way. My friends and family not being able to give is NOT a bad thing, and I am NOT COMPLAINING. However, by yesterday afternoon I was feeling very beat down and deflated. My unmet expectations had set me up for disappointment and I had to do some serious soul searching. 

So, after I went to Sonic and got enough fried food to feed a starving teenager AND a peanut butter cookie dough blast (highly recommend that one)... I sat down to do some soul searching. I quickly realized that I had created expectations that were NOT in line with those that God had for my trip. I realized that this trip was not about FUND raising. It was about FAITH raising. I had once again tried to take the reigns and drive when I was supposed to sit back and LET GOD work through me. So, I repented.. I realigned.. and I again consciously decided to STEP ASIDE. 

My last meeting before leaving was with my dear friend who I call Mama Holly. Well, Mama Holly had just had major surgery the week prior. Still bruised and at times uncomfortable, she sat across the table from me sipping coffee and encouraging me with scripture and uplifting words. Mama Holly looked at me and said "God told me that Mississippi would be dry for you... but wells are going to be springing up". I relayed the events of the week to her and she continued to encourage me. 

Through my conversation with Mama Holly and the events of the past 24 hours I have come to realize that sometimes the river SEEMS to run dry. Yet, even though the river SEEMS dry the WELL NEVER RUNS DRY. I have been reflecting on my time with friends and family, and I have had to say that it has been INCREDIBLE hearing the stories, the struggles, and being able to share what God is doing in this process and encourage them to keep hanging on. God is moving in my life in MIGHTY and INCREDIBLE WAYS and I could write pages of how He is coming through again and again. This time He came through in ways I didn't EXPECT. 

A New Orleans Courtyard

Even though I may not have met MY PERSONAL goal for this week in regards to FUND RAISING... I know that I have exceeded in FAITH RAISING. Even though I may not have stacks of new monthly commitments, I have PRAYER COMMITMENTS from amazing PRAYER WARRIORS. More than that, I now know how to SPECIFICALLY PRAY for my friends and family as they walk through this season of their lives. That is priceless. It would be easy for me to continue to feel defeated and give up, but fund raising is only part of this process. I am walking forward with more faith, and that is so much more important than any monthly commitment. 

So, let me encourage you. Even when things don't look like what WE EXPECT them to, they always look like what GOD EXPECTS. When we have unmet expectations, it is US who need to REALIGN with His plan. I hope you will join me as I reflect on this in the days to come. Remember... just because the river seems dry, it does NOT mean that the well is dry.  As always, I appreciate each of you who read my blog and pray for me. 

Blessings, 

Meaghen