On Hold?

I recently read a comment, well intentioned I am sure, about missionaries putting their lives on hold to follow the call of the Lord.

Is that what Carl and I did five years ago? Did we put our lives on hold to be obedient and say yes to God? If the answer is yes, then  shouldn't our lives be the same when we eventually return to our home in Ohio?

But, how can that be? We have changed, our children have grown up. Our families, friends, churches, and communities continue to exist in the absence of our presence.

I am pretty sure my life is not on hold.

I only have to look at the dinner table's three empty chairs. Or cheer on  my youngest as he plays his first varsity soccer game. Or look in the mirror and see a new generation of wrinkles. 

My life is not on hold.

I am just living it out in a country, a culture, not my own.

I am the same Kelli here in Taiwan that I was in Ohio.

And, my life is not on hold.

I continue to age. 

I continue to make mistakes and  hopefully, learn and grow from them.

I continue to mature in both my relationship with God and with others living out their lives around me.

I continue to do the daily things one must do in order to survive.

 We continue to press on choosing to be obedient to that which God has called. It isn't always easy; cultural differences, language barriers, long distance relationships. It certainly isn't glamorous. 

But, its more than just a job, its life.

Ball just crossing into the net off the head of Jacob.

If you would like to see the header shot here is a link to the game. Jake's scoring shot occurs at the 26 40  mark.