know me by His scars.

A few days ago, my daughter and I returned home from a two week trip to England. We drove almost a thousand miles in a rental (that’s a hire car for you Brits), went practically coast to coast, spent a week of that tent camping, and didn’t get into a single accident while driving on the wrong side of the sometimes way too narrow back roads (not ashamed to say that was definitely by the grace of God!).

And what was at the heart of it? Beautiful gardens, heart-stopping scenery, and the ancient history lingering heavy in the air everywhere we turned?

No. When I left I wasn’t certain why we were going, but as it turns out, I was in England for the thing that has captured the heart of our Maker and should also capture ours. People. That’s what Jesus died for. And that’s what we should live for, secondarily to the King of course.

Which is interesting. Especially for me. If you’re any kind of an artist, you know we love to both make fun of and pretend to be the mysterious, midnight, candlelight, reading books, poetry, obscure nuances, writing away with no screens in sight hipster type..

Except most nights, that description actually suits me well enough (minus the candlelight – plus a primarily empty-other-than-the-word-processor screen – maybe some background music, not always classical or moody). And I’m happy there in that usually quiet world, exploring ideas, seeking my Savior, co-creating with the One who made me and all things. There aren’t enough hours in the day!

So to say that the standout best part of my trip was people? Well, although this isn’t something that’s happened overnight (or even just on this trip – I’m looking at you, Bible study friends, if you ever read this), my Maker is making me into who He wants me to be one day at a time. And that’s somebody who follows His commands – to love Him, and to love people.

That’s growth. Movement. Being unsettled. Growth is progress, and with progress always comes Resistance. The enemy doesn’t want us to grow, to be obedient, to accomplish any work for the Kingdom. And boy did that resistance come. Starting before the trip. All of the doors were opened wide, it was very clear this was the direction I was to go, but all of the excuses started popping up.

You’re going to travel to a country you’ve never been before, where you don’t know anybody, and you’re going to bring your two and a half year old daughter? Yup.

And you’re going to spend a week of that trip camping? In a tent? That you’re going to have to pack and bring supplies for? With people you don’t know and a two and a half year old? Yup.

You’re going to drive on the wrong side of the road after a full night of travel with a probably pretty cranky two and a half year old? Yup.

Do you know how crazy this all sounds? Yup.

But if that’s where my God leads me, then that’s where I’ll follow.

You’re just following your flesh! No, I’m with you there. My flesh says it’s nuts to do this, that it makes no sense to spend the money on this right now, that this is going to be HARD – wouldn’t you rather just use your PTO to actually take it easy, spend a fraction of the money and go book a place in the mountains, escape from the world awhile?

But that’s not what I’m being called to do.

Okay, so go then.. but wouldn’t you rather leave the kid? The Spirit made that one clear to me too – I could leave her behind. She would be okay. He would still use this trip, use me. OR I could just obey, do as He’s asked, and be used more fully. Exceedingly abundantly for all of His purposes.

So I obeyed. And you’d be amazed at the proximity of people that a toddler will put you in. Because let’s be honest, traveling with a toddler isn’t exactly taking the easy road.

I’m not going to go too crazy into detail on the warfare – issues checking baggage, meltdowns going through security, a 9.5 hour flight with a toddler, getting through customs afterwards – only that things moved as they should’ve, but every step was an opportunity to lean on Christ’s sufficiency, not my own.

The first person I connected with was at London Heathrow, while trying to get on an elevator to reach the lower level of the garage to the shuttle for the rental car.

Let me paint the picture. I’ve got a bogged down luggage cart that I’m pushing one-handed. I’ve got a toddler in a stroller that is thankfully staying put that I’m pushing with the other hand. Between the two hands and what’s on my back, it’s a fair assessment to say I’m moving more than my own weight here.

We’ve made it this far with all of this stuff. This is the last leg. We just have to make it to the rental car, sorry hired car. And there are three elevators, hundreds (or did it just feel that way?) of people who need to use them, and no real system to make them work well. We’re on 4, we need to get to 2. These elevators are big, but every one that stops is jam-packed – and they’re only stopping every five-ish minutes. I’m not using hyperbole here.

So I’m just waiting. Because there’s not much else I can do. Some of the times, I’d be pushing us to the door and a group of people would rush forward and cut us off. Everyone’s busy, has somewhere else to be. I’m not in a rush, but I don’t want to stand here all day.

And out of nowhere pops a woman, who I’m still not sure isn’t actually an angel, named Mandy (name changed). She saw our dilemma, practically shoved some people out of our way, and forced a space for us on one of the elevators. Then she was kind enough to assist getting us to the correct shuttle stop.

She was at the airport, dropping off a friend, and there she became my friend.

It should come as no surprise to learn that in her daily life, she works as an advocate for women, particularly those who have been dealt an oppressive hand by the ones who ought to love them. Nothing short of a divine appointment. One of many reminders that though we’re here alone, we’re not really alone.

So we squeeze onto the next shuttle and at last make it to the car hire shop – where again we wait in line, but everyone is kind. Maybe half an hour later, we’re packed into the upgraded car, and driving on the wrong (left – we all know that’s backwards, sorry English friends) side of the road.

Another 4.5 hours of a drive later (with a surprise Stonehenge drive by), and we’re tucked into our Airbnb in Wadebridge, Cornwall – a lovely and quiet apartment, home for the next few days.

We’re near the ocean, so there’s beautiful, endless green every way we look. We hear some incredible live music and inspiring, thoughtful words at Creation Fest. We visit Polzeath Beach (featured picture) and have ice cream.

And we meet more incredible people. Some girls who were kind at the hired car shop have made their way to this side of the country, and we get to hear a bit of their story. We make friends at the ice cream shop, sharing a picture from our instant camera (side note – that’s another great ice breaker and way to meet people. Combine the toddler and the instant camera, and you will never run out of people).

And I get new clarity on some things I’ve been mulling. Meditate a little bit on what it means to really live what I believe, to have visible fruit above, not just roots below. Know that this is where the Spirit of God has brought us for this moment of time, for today.

So that’s where I’ll end this post – speaking of the constant reminders from a Creator who led us to this point, and who will continue to carry us forward.

Who revealed Himself and His faithfulness over and over, despite the attempts of the enemy to bring confusion and uncertainty.

Who refreshes us and every day keeps us under the shadow of His wing.

“I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day.” – Isaiah 27:3 (NKJV)

He is able to keep you. Let him.

Emily