It had been my desire for a very long time to move to the mountains, a place where I’d often vacationed and truly love to be. Then, through a series of what could only be described as God ordained events, He granted that desire of my heart. He gave me a job as a Speech Therapist in the tiny school district there (next to impossible to get), and He provided me a beautiful home! What more could I ask? Finally, I got to daily enjoy the smell of the pine trees and fresh mountain air, experience the four seasons, and become a mountain woman! It was perfect…until God showed me He had other plans.
After I had been living there for about three years, I met someone who had just returned from teaching English overseas. She shared with me about her experiences and the many opportunities to teach English all over the world. This got me thinking. I was an educator, after all, and teaching English seemed to be an open door for both meeting people’s needs and sharing the gospel. Maybe I should take a year to go and serve?
That was the beginning of a long, prayer-filled journey that eventually led me to become a missionary in Thailand, where I ended up serving for nearly seven years.
When I initially shared my plans with some friends, one of whom also lived in the mountains and knew how my living there was the culmination of all that I dreamed of, exclaimed, “You’re loco in the cabeza!”
And from a human prospective, he was right. I had to be “loco”- crazy! 
I was living in the “perfect place” and in the “perfect house”. I attended the “perfect church”, and had a much coveted (if not “perfect”) job. Why would I leave?
“But God…” That is the answer.
Every place these words are recorded in the Bible, a contrast is introduced, and often God brings something new. (See Acts 2:24; Romans 5:8;
1 Corinthians 2:10; and many more!) And now God had new plans for me!
Yes, God had clearly given all the blessings I had been enjoying during my “season” in the mountains, but He had taught me long ago to “hold things with an open hand”. And now it was time for something new. His best for me, in that new season, was to serve Him in Thailand.
Through His calling, the preparation process, and seven years on the field, God taught me the valuable lesson of joy through giving up “the good” in exchange for “the best”. Was it easy to leave it all behind? No. But He faithfully led and provided… and I never once had any regrets about the decision to go.
After I had been living there for about three years, I met someone who had just returned from teaching English overseas. She shared with me about her experiences and the many opportunities to teach English all over the world. This got me thinking. I was an educator, after all, and teaching English seemed to be an open door for both meeting people’s needs and sharing the gospel. Maybe I should take a year to go and serve?
That was the beginning of a long, prayer-filled journey that eventually led me to become a missionary in Thailand, where I ended up serving for nearly seven years.
When I initially shared my plans with some friends, one of whom also lived in the mountains and knew how my living there was the culmination of all that I dreamed of, exclaimed, “You’re loco in the cabeza!”
And from a human prospective, he was right. I had to be “loco”- crazy! I was living in the “perfect place” and in the “perfect house”. I attended the “perfect church”, and had a much coveted (if not “perfect”) job. Why would I leave?
“But God…” That is the answer.
Every place these words are recorded in the Bible, a contrast is introduced, and often God brings something new. (See Acts 2:24; Romans 5:8;
1 Corinthians 2:10; and many more!) And now God had new plans for me!
Yes, God had clearly given all the blessings I had been enjoying during my “season” in the mountains, but He had taught me long ago to “hold things with an open hand”. And now it was time for something new. His best for me, in that new season, was to serve Him in Thailand.
Through His calling, the preparation process, and seven years on the field, God taught me the valuable lesson of joy through giving up “the good” in exchange for “the best”. Was it easy to leave it all behind? No. But He faithfully led and provided… and I never once had any regrets about the decision to go.
What About You? Is there something “good” that God is asking you to give up? There may be nothing wrong with it, in and of itself, but perhaps it’s keeping you from something else He has for you. Seek Him honestly, and hold it with an open hand. You don’t want to hold on to “the good” and miss out on “the best” – His best!
2 Responses
soooooo good!!
So glad that you liked it. I pray that it was inspiring and encouraging!
Thank you for the updates on your ministry. My prayers continue for you.
Kim