Kilimanjaro Journey : Power in a Picture

My time here at Cincinnati Christian University has brought back the age old question, "why am I here! " Every young person asks the question, mules over the decisions of a path to take, and has a desire for a sign that gives them peace in the direction he/she sets out to go. "Am I at the right college!" "Is this the degree program I am supposed go into!" "Are these the extra curricular activities that will give me the experience needed and look good on a resume for my next step!?" Ironically, looking out across the campus now in different shoes (much older) I am not convinced that we westerners ever stop rolling around with these questions. I remember like it was yesterday mulling over some of these decisions and to be honest I have been on an internal discovery the last several months revisiting some of these age old questions.

We want to be someone that matters and we desire to have a purpose. It is difficult for us to pull away from the fact that it is not always about what we do but who we are that matters most. God in his great mercy and patience with us continues to whisper along our journey for us to become who we are in Him. I always knew what I wanted to do with my life. When I was a young girl I had a dream or really it was a picture. A picture was given to me where I was underneath a tree teaching children of different nationalities about Jesus. I did not tell many about this but it stuck with me. The image never faded and often provided encouragement when the journey was rough. The year that I graduated from high school I took my first international trip to Haiti with the church. I loved building relationships, the experiences it provided, and culture exposure. This picture taken on this trip was in my wad of pictures developed from the trip. It was an actual picture that displayed a moment in time of the dream/calling given to me so long ago. I remember the moment like it was yesterday. I can still hear the laughter of the girls and how I enjoyed sitting with them that sunny day.

This picture sat in my dorm room and with a simple glance gave me encouragement along the way. It helped me on the days that were long with assignments, did not feel well, or to many decisions overwhelmed my mind about the future. Last week I was able to visit my college roommate whose name is also Wendy. I have not seen her for many years other than the loved snapshots on Facebook. A mentor of hers, Jenanne, who I met while we were in college who became a lovely friend of mine as well made lunch. The three of us enjoyed catching up and I loved meeting Wendy's two little ones.

When Wendy saw my new support card she went on a hunt for a picture. A picture I remember her working on when we were in school. After several moves and 10 + years later she placed a painting on the table that she made for me. It is a beautiful painting of the above picture that sat in my dorm room those many years ago. Wendy was one of few people at that time who knew what that visual reminder meant to me. It was a touching moment of deep encouragement from a dear friend!

A friend on my Birthday gave me a card that she drew of a tree with promises and quotes written inside. There are years often between when these moments come alive but each time they are special. This year I am thankful for friends who continue to encourage the journey! These are little moments that "a still small voice" speaks volumes in my day. Reminding me of His promises and now that I'm in some older shoes that it is not always about what I am to do. But rather who He continues to call me to be as a child of God. He knows who I am and the gifts He has given to me.

I hope to continue to bring Him honor.