Hello

I’ve discovered that I need to be willing to say “hello” in order to have the opportunity to love well.  Since I’ve experienced the revolving door of missions and life, I find myself hesitating to engage.  I skirt the outside of the group waiting to see where the cards will fall.  I toss the decision back and forth in my mind about whether or not it’s worth it to put my heart out there.  Saying good-bye over and over is hard on a heart.

Coming to Greece challenged me like none other in this area. I knew I’d only have a limited amount of time here to meet people and then the good-bye’s would come.  I came in unintentionally with an agenda of not crying or connecting too deeply.  That didn’t work.  Not at all.

I couldn’t help but love big and love hearing everyone’s stories.  I found myself opening up and making heart connections.  I stripped the masks slowly and painfully.  I stared in the mirror at my own weaknesses and insecurities.  And the beautiful thing? I was loved deeply.  The girls here ushered me in with grace sprinkled hands that knew how to hold my heart well.  They pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to jump off the cliff.

The hard good-bye’s taught me that I can risk and show up and that the hello is absolutely worth it.