A few minutes of WiFi recently was enough. It meant that for the first time in more than a week, I’d set my eyes on my family. And that day was even more a blessing as it was my youngest son’s third birthday.
While they woke to celebrate with tractor cakes, rocket balloons and trucks for gifts, I was busy preparing the next day’s Bible survey lesson for young church leaders in east Africa.
Until this trip, I’ve held to a hard and fast rule: I do not miss birthdays. On top of that, this trip also meant that I would miss my youngest daughter’s performance with the local Youth Orchestra—an event that she and I have bonded over for nearly a year with each week’s practice.
And so, this trip, more than others, I miss my family. I look forward to breaking out A Horse and His Boy, the next book in the Chronicles of Narnia series that I’ve been reading to the younger children. I missing the life talks I have in the evenings with my older children. I long for my wife’s embrace.
But knowing God’s will leaves you no choice but obedience, even when it means missing what I think are important family events. Even when you are reluctant to go.
Truth is, I tried hard not to make this trip. I ignored it, put it off, made excuses that I train pastors in Asia, not Africa. But the feeling that I was supposed to go never left, and my family totally agreed, despite the long absence.
During the years, I’ve told class after class of young church leaders around the world that each of us measured the cost the day we said “yes” to Jesus. Now is no longer the time to weigh what we miss. Now is the time to get up and go. This lesson has not been lost on me this trip.
My son had a wonderful birthday, and despite the distance, we celebrated in the only way we could. My daughter performed beautifully and for this year, a downloaded video sufficed.
I may never know the impact that these trainings ultimately have on this country. That doesn’t make it any easier to be away from family. But I trust the Lord that He is sovereign, and that each member of my family was created for a moment such as this.