I always thought the words and then were a prelude to something wonderful. Like seeing a ship come in or finding a note in your letterbox, when you weren't expecting one. That swift, surprising transition from nothing to everything.
And then.
Two little words that hold a world of promise.
And then the light pierced through the dark sky, and the rain stopped falling.
And then I met you.
Uganda, experiencing you was like being ten hears old again, scaling a tree with my eyes bright and skyward, wanting to get higher and higher without wanting to ever come back down. You've made me realize that even just being alive, being able to breathe is something grand and something to be celebrated daily. There is power, there are ideas, thoughts no one has ever thought of. There is the strength to love purely and intensely and to be loved back. There is the power to make people happy and to make people laugh. It's full of kindness and joy and the power to change lives and futures. We must never forget this power that life has to offer, we must never give ip on it.
My life is a journey of amazing experiences. It is beautiful, exciting and messy. For every sorrow endured, I have experienced great joy. There have been times in my life where not everything has been smooth sailing. I have braved rough storms and I have survived every single one of them. This life, this crazy, beautiful, messy life, could not not have been experienced we're it not for the one who created it. Christ dazzles me and stirs within me such feelings of amazement that I can never get over Him. I stand strong in my life knowing that He is the author of my story. It does not matter what happened or what is going to happen, He is in control. I choose to live an amazing adventure. I want to celebrate this life I have been given everyday. The good and the bad times. I want to look back on my life twenty years from now and not be disappointed by the things I didn't do, but smile at the things I did. What amazing things still lie ahead.
Uganda taught me that life matters more than sitting idly waiting for things to happen. We have to make things happen and embrace every messy beautiful part of it. We should celebrate it with the one who gave us this life. Let's celebrate the fact that we have eternal life! Ecclesiastes 3:13 tells us that it is a gift from God to be happy and to enjoy life. Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is.
Weebale Uganda. Your name is forever etched on my hart.
xxx