A Look Back

As we began a new year, I found myself reflecting on the first five months of The Salt and Light Journeys and considered a few questions. Did we learn about people, places, or even ourselves? Did we grow in ways we thought we would? Did we serve in the way we expected? Did we share experiences and make a difference? When we began our journey, those four words were our mission statement – an adventure in learning, growing, sharing, and serving along the way. So, what has that looked like so far? My first thought, it was a struggle.

Since we began traveling, I discovered a newfound love of taking photos. In the past I took photos from time to time but never really enjoyed it. Then one day, not long after we moved into the RV, Jim and I walked a local trail. Something nudged me (I believe it was God) to capture some of the landscape we were seeing. I put my cell phone camera to my eye, and the world literally lit up in front of me! I saw a world I had not noticed before. Obviously, I’ve seen nature, but this time it looked different. It was brighter, more colorful, and alive.

Five months and hundreds of photos later, I found myself needing to reorganize and condense the photos I had compiled. As I sorted through the images, and the dates they were taken, I saw something more than photos.

I saw new friends, old friends, far-flung family, people’s needs, revitalized communities, suffering communities, beautiful swampy green water, a lonely colored leaf when it seemed we had missed the fall colors back home, Germany (well, sort of), the chance encounter with migrating monarchs and Portuguese man o’ war, fog in the afternoon, snow in Alabama (ok, maybe it was fake).

I remembered the sounds of water crashing on the Gulf shore, the ferry horn transporting our RV, birds chirping, wildlife running as they heard us approach, prayer on our behalf, thank you’s from people we had served.

I remembered the smell of a Gulf breeze, fresh seafood, southern and Tex-Mex food, pecan syrup, oil refineries, flowers, and fresh air.

I felt the warmth of a beautiful day, the chill of an abnormally cold morning, the softness of cotton, the breeze from an unexpected boat ride on Mobile Bay, the sand beneath my toes, the care of an RV tech, the hug of a new friend, the love of familiar faces, the generosity of people. 

I saw memories of good times. Not once did I notice a photo of a struggle – even when that photo was of something we needed to repair on the RV. So, why was my first thought in reflecting on the last five months “a struggle”? Simply put, I’m human.

I do not want to minimize the difficulties we have experienced or how they affected us. However, if I were to stop there, this mission would not have purpose.

Our journey was not expected to be easy. Jesus told us, “In this world you will have troubles”. We live in a fallen world – life will not always be easy. When it is not, we have human emotions that respond to the difficulties. But it doesn’t have to end there. We have a choice. Jesus goes on to tell us, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” {John 16:33}.

Think about it this way. If our vehicle breaks down, we become frustrated, worried, sad, or even angry. It may take us a day or two to work through the emotions of the inconvenience or the cost of repairs, but we do not stop there. We contact a repair shop to get the vehicle fixed. Before long we are driving again and have moved on from the emotions of the difficulty.

Struggles can be an opportunity for growth. If we do not learn from the difficult experiences, they are a wasted moment leaving us feeling hopeless. In contrast, we can take the painful moments and recognize them as gifts – an opening for God to work in our lives, strengthen our faith, and grow us to be more like Him.

I suspect there will be more struggles in our journey; and I will still be human. My emotions will sometimes get the best of me. And sometimes I may share those with you, because it is important to know, we all experience difficult moments.

So how will we move on from the struggle? Prayer, and lots of it!

Over the last few months, Jim and I have had several words that keep repeating in our reading or discussions with others:

• Available: go when God calls.
• Breakthrough: remain hopeful and believe good things are coming.
• Favor: accept God’s provision.
• Anticipation: expect God to do great things in our lives

A new word has been on my heart for a few weeks. Remain: we cannot achieve success in our journey if we do not remain in God’s presence. What does that mean? Pray, read the Bible, ask questions. Instead of dwelling on the struggles, we will choose to focus even more on Him.

So, in looking back at 2021, did we learn, grow, serve, and share? The short answer, yes!

We learned about people, locations, and most of all, we learned to depend on God always and thank Him for every blessing. Did we grow in ways I thought we would? Not quite, but better yet, the difficulties grew our faith and that is invaluable. Did we serve in the way we expected? Yes, however, we learned service isn’t always a physical act but is about exemplifying the fruit of the spirit.

Finally, did we share in a way that made a difference? I will leave that question for you to contemplate. Has our story of God working through us prompted questions, sparked interest in who He is, grown your desire to serve, or encouraged your faith walk? If so, pay it forward. Make it your mission to learn a little more, grow in ways you never expected, serve others and share with everyone!

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
John 15:4