Saying yes

"You want to go to Haiti on July 18?" 

"You have to decide by tomorrow morning.”

Wait ... WHAT?!

This was what my Dad said to me 2 weeks ago. 

My little sister, Elise, was supposed to go to Haiti with my dad and a team from our local fellowship. Coming home from China, I was looking forward to sending her off on her first service trip and hearing all about it upon her return. She's an amazing young woman who loves Father with all her heart. I knew she would have an incredible impact in Haiti. 

But, my dad made the call 2 weeks ago that Elise should probably stay stateside due to some recent health issues. That's when he looked at me and asked if I wanted to go. 

Needless to say, I was a little shocked. I had just been home less than 2 weeks after the best, hardest year if my life in China. And Elise was supposed to go-not me. And Haiti?! Really?! China was one thing-but Haiti?! 

And on top of that, I'm starting medical school August 11. I don't have time to go to Haiti for a week! Are you nuts?!

Of course I knew the minute he asked me that I was going to go. After all, what have I learned this year:  to say yes to Father. He says "jump." I say "how high?" He says "go to Haiti." I pack my bags. 

People tell me I'm crazy. I just got back from China, I'm going to medical school soon, I need to stay home and rest. Go to Haiti?! Ain't nobody got time for that! 

But Father has time. And when He opens a door, you go through it. You have to be flexible, and you have to say yes to the life interruptions. 

Saying yes is hard. Because Father calls us to some hard things-often we don't know how hard it's gonna be. I think of Elise-Father is walking her through some major disappointment. She wanted to go to Haiti, but He had something different. I'm amazed at the maturity she has shown in the face of all this-and I'm amazed at how she has been so supportive of me going.

I am not taking her place on this team. There are not 14 of us-there are 15. I told her I was just her pinch hitter. She didn't know what that was. 

She said yes to Father, so I said yes too. 

Just say yes to Him, whatever He's calling you to, say yes. It's worth it. Because HE is worth it!

And besides, these interruptions in life-they aren't really interruptions. That's the beauty of it.