Yes, Lord

The week before Fall Break, and subsequently, our trip to Manila was, for me, exhausting. 

Physically.

Emotionally.

Spiritually. 

Everyone kept asking me if I was excited.

My honest answer?

No.

I just didn't have the strength or willpower to be excited.

I wanted to be.

But, I just wasn't.

Three times a year, the three Morrison campuses gather for a time of professional learning. As my students were dismissed Thursday at noon, I faced two and a half days of meetings, workshops, and professional conversations.

Not that it was all bad. We had several great times of worship. And in what is becoming a yearly tradition, a foot massage with two current and one "I like it in the big city better so I am moving to Taipei" coworker.

Our professional learning ended Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

The swim team gathered a mere 5 and a half hours later, to load and head out to the airport. Not much time to pack and change thinking gears.

The swim team always brings vitamins for the children in the children's home. 

But in my hazy, exhausted mind, I prayed. 

Nothing super spiritual.

I just wanted to say yes to anything God asked me to do.

I didn't know exactly what I would be doing throughout the week.

 I knew there was tutoring.

I knew there was reading to young students.

I knew there would be feedings.

I knew there would be children to hug.

I knew there would be swimming lessons.

I knew there would be Filipino  teachers to encourage.

And I heard there was some painting waiting to be done.

I didn't have a preference.

I simply just wanted to do whatever God wanted me to do with a cheerful and giving heart.

So, as we were waiting for our flight depart, God reminded me of this prayer. 

Abbi and her fellow swim team captains were using the down time to plan for the Sunday am service in Manila. They wanted to know if I would give a testimony.

Hmmm.... Its now midnight. I had already been awake for 18 hours. Anyone who knows me,  knows I don't do well without sleep. 

"Don't worry," Abbi assured me, "You'll get a couple hours of sleep before church."

After my earlier prayer, and wanting to be helpful, I agreed.

We loaded the plane.

We took off and landed.

Did I mentioned I never really sleep on a plane?

I was really looking forward to that promised bed. Unfortunately, I needed to wait longer than promised. 

We waited.

And waited. 

And waited.

The high schoolers began to drop. First one, then another. Soon the whole lot of them slept.

On the floor.

Tiled floor.

In a busy, busy airport.

Can you find Abbi? 

I stood.

If I laid down, there would not have been any getting up!

Finally, as the sun began to peak over the horizon, we loaded onto the bus.

There was no couple hours of sleep. We had just enough time to unload the bus, eat breakfast, and walk over to the church.  I hoped there wouldn't be any extra long prayers, for fear of falling asleep. At least I was sharing in the first service. Well, at least I thought I was until Abbi leaned over and told me I was doing the second service.

At this point my prayer was simple and direct. 

Lord, my brain is empty, devoid. There is simply nothing there. I have no control over my thought processes, as well as what may come out of my mouth. Just fill it with whatever you want me to say.

Thank goodness God never sleeps.  He formed tangible intelligible words put them into my mouth.

I told of how my dad was my hero.  

And how God used my dad in miraculous ways to help the people of Haiti simply by saying yes to whatever God asked him to do. Through his obedience, many have come to know the Lord, and even today, continue to hear God's word on a daily basis all because he chose to obey.

I have found when I am empty, I am more usable. When Kelli is out of the way, God shines.

God isn't looking for ability.

He's looking for availability.

How about you?

Are you available?

Will you say yes?