We made it! The World Race is completed and my squad is stateside! As I am processing and debriefing in Georgia, I remembered this note I wrote myself back in May, when I was being trained to squad lead. I wanted to share it with you all, and thank you again for following my journey.

"A letter to Madison, for the end of the race"  May 26

Dear Madison, 

     Congratulations! You made it to the end of the race! I'm sure you're feeling all types of mixed emotions right now. Lean into them and on your peers. You're not alone in it.

     I pray that now your eyes somehow shine even brighter with joy and hope than they did before. I pray you've seen the full power of healing, whether it's heart, mind, body or soul. I pray you are fully recovered from people pleasing, and you no longer feel the pressures of living up to others expectations because you're so focused and fixed on your father in heaven that your eyes no longer desire looking to the right or the left. I, and your community, are so proud of you for taking on this leadership position and finishing it out. I know that it was hard, sometimes lonely, sometimes draining, and at times you failed. But I hope that you learned from the failures, and shine brighter because of them. I hope you now see the beautiful fruit that has grown within your squad, even from the trials. I'm sure you faced some situations that you simply could not have handled on your own, whether it was an emergency, language barriers, conflict, etc. But now you see that He got you through it...He provided the words, tools, or brought you the people you needed right when you needed them.

     You are now taking your next steps in life...don't worry. Rest in Him. Trust Him. Depend on Him. He's never let you down, and He's not going to start now. Continue to seek Him in His word and practice disciplines. When you feel lonely, He's embracing you. When you think there's no one who understands the journey you just went on, He's tapping on your shoulder. Remember that this is where He has you right now, and anywhere He has you is your ministry. Use it for His glory.

     When you prayed into leading, remember that He said "I will use this season to stretch and grow you in ways that will prepare you for the season to follow." That could be this season, or a later season. Continue to be patient and know that His will is going to be fulfilled.

     And as always, in this transition when fear and anxiety arise, remember that you still serve the same God so, "you can exhale." (Famous quote by Premala Jones).

-Madison