I am overwhelmed with gratitude this morning…

I am overwhelmed with gratitude this morning as I prepare to land in London…London! This trip has been on my vision board, in my dreams for a long, long time. A solo Euro tour, an opportunity to commune with God in a land foreign to me but well known to Him. Yet and still I’m home wherever He is, so I’m always at home—even across the Atlantic.

I’m not the first person to travel abroad alone but this is a first for me, so I’m giving all glory to God for orchestrating this trip. For making me just push the button and book the flight when my rationale said to  put that money in the bank or apply it to student loans or to the car note. God said you’ve wanted this, I’m giving you the opportunity, take it.

I’m not leaving anything else on the table. Life is to be lived, not just for leisure but for God to have the space to show what He can do. No more living in fear. I’m using wisdom but I’m also expectant that my great God of infinite resources will not only provide all of my needs, but the desires that He placed into my heart as well.

I’m filled with gratitude this morning because I have people who love me and want me to thrive. I have family who prays for me and covers me in my travels, and in everything I do.

I am grateful to have extended family far and wide sending me “Have a safe and fun trip” texts and friends that send me itineraries and Paris must-sees. Oh and I can’t forget Tik Tok and ChatGPT for making me feel like a local before my feet hit the European ground.

I am so blessed, so fortunate because I know not everyone has the village that I have. Not everyone has the ability to hop on a flight and go across the pond, but God chose me (shout out to Pastor Charles Metcalf at Transformation Church—that message has been blessing me and pulling me into my identity in Christ in a real way).

I’m just blessed blessed and your girl is grateful. Another check off the list, another opportunity to hear from God without distraction. A friend said God’s already sent you the downloads, now it’s time to upload them. I laughed but it resonated.

I know what the Lord requires of me. We’ve been walking together long and tough. Now it’s time to put to action everything He’s been saying to me. Did I have to fly thousands of miles to realize that? Nah. But the view makes it more clear.

-Renee