Realities

Reality: the state or quality of being real. 

Real: true and actual, having verifiable existence.

This summer I have been thinking a lot about reality.  Being in Haiti, removed from my "day to day" in Minnesota is alternate reality.  It is real and raw and true.  But so different than the reality that I will return to in a week.  

But more so, reality - the state or quality of being real - doesn't have a zip code.  

Reality is the fact that some of my good friends left yesterday to continue their walk of faith in a small rural Haitian village in the southern tip of Haiti.  Their presence in the guest house is incredibly missed.  Their relationships with our staff can be seen and felt in the solemnness that surrounds our house today.       The reality is god called them to go and they listen.  The reality is that is hard.  

Reality is the second to last intern leaves tomorrow.  Shelby is a child of god filled with joy.  Her story is humbling and amazing and what she has endured and risen above is the clearest act of sheer faith and praise to her creator.  She brings life to a room and shares songs, hugs, and love wherever she goes.  

The reality is god is using her and she is saying yes.  

Reality is that I am also leaving soon.  Deep down I know it is time, but it will not be easy.  I have even thought about leaving early just so it will be over faster!  The reality is there are people here that I have come to love as family.  They are real.  Their hearts and ambitions are real.  God placed me here this summer to walk along side them and build them up and I can't help but feel that I am letting them down by leaving.  But then I remember what I tell myself when I send my preschoolers off to kindergarten and when I left my parent's to go to college.  At some point to have to let go and have faith.  Just because I won't see them everyday doesn't mean my love for them has changed.  Hopefully we have enriched each others lives enough to help us all to move on to the next steps of life.  

Reality is god loves each of us, not matter where we live, no matter who we interact with daily and no matter what.  That reality is reassuring.  That faith is not always easy, but I am choosing to find comfort in it today.