31DaysOfLifeAsANurse_Perhaps

From the year 2008 through 2013, I pursued missionary nursing with passion. It’s all I could think about. Once the idea was properly planted in my brain, after I realized you are never too old to start something new, I took off out of the gate like a sprinter at an Olympic dash.

I ran so hard and so fast onto the mission field that I lost sight of what my family wanted or needed. It didn’t take long for me to burn out either.

I think the worst thing about it was how absolutely I loved it. Being in Africa, helping people who might not otherwise ever be helped if not for the goodness of God and people willing to obey his call.

But at what cost? When I finally was sent home, I was exhausted through and through. I was so singularly focused on doing the right thing for God, that I lost sight of God himself. Before I came home, he spoke to me.

⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, (Michelle, Michelle,) you are worried and upset about many things. ⁴² Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.”

Two years later, I am resting in Jesus. I am resting knowing he has called me to minister to the people in front of me, the ones I meet on the road of life. No more sprinting. No more exhaustion. Just peace and quiet and hiking and livng one day at a time.

Would I ever go back to Africa? Haiti? Perhaps.

This is day 27 of 31 days of five minute free writes. Be sure to head over to Kate’s blog to participate or read along or both.

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