What a long, strange trip it's been…
Trusting the Lord in every season…
The map reveals an outcome more than a beginning. It was roughly 1800 miles from our place of origin to McAllen, TX. From there, we would cross the border into Reynosa, Mexico. It was another 1500 miles—and a much harder drive—around the Gulf of Mexico to Cancun, just 90 miles from Cuba.
When you read Cancun, I can almost guess what you’re thinking. When I say Cancun, here’s what I’m thinking:
We were invited to use this family’s home for Bible study and outreach. Life on the growing outskirts of the city looked the same—looks the same—just a lot more crowded.
Fast-forwarding about 10 years, our season had changed, but not our mission:
Outreach: People need the Lord—the liberating good news of salvation by faith, not by works. Reaching out leads to drawing in… closer and closer together at the foot of the cross. Drawing in has to include into our hearts, our families, and our homes. We wanted people to see and feel Christian community—warts and all. And who doesn’t love authentic Mexican food?
Linda would have said something like, “We did it! Our dream was to live for something bigger than ourselves.”
Fast-forwarding another 20 years or so, my season changed again, but not my mission:
It’s not what’s missing in the picture—it’s who? This was Carol’s spot every morning. In the evenings, I would join her, sharing the footrest on her recliner. She enjoyed reading out loud, having spiritual conversations, and praying together. She also loved having people in for food and more of the same. We only had six years together, but what a memorable season it was!
Fast-forwarding to the present, my season changed again, but not my mission:
I know I’m not alone in my day-to-day experience of being alone. Part of what balances this experience is a sense of genuine usefulness in God’s kingdom. I’m calling this the Season of the Zoom:
Thanks to the pandemic, it’s part of my life now. The only thing better would be weekly visits from the people I Zoom with, which is impractical when we are states or countries apart. And, of course, people have to make their own coffee.
I also cherish the weekly one-on-one interactions with a few people in my house—no Zoom is necessary. Plus, people who come to my house get special treatment: I try to serve them a great cup of coffee.
I’m tempted to call them mentoring sessions, but that sounds like Greg’s dispensing something to others. Is there a word for mentoring when it’s a two-way street? I’m truly honored and blessed by the people I meet with—here and everywhere.
I’m a paying Zoom customer now. So, if you’d like to connect with me sometime, email me at gregsmith@email.com. I’ll send you a link… and it won’t cost you anything.
And it’s not just a Zoom season, it’s a family season first and foremost:
New Year’s Day dinner was at my house. I provided the space, they prepared the meal. I sliced a fresh habanero pepper, which turned into a memorable moment!
The Mexico side of my family will be here for two weeks in March. I have another trip planned for Cancun in the latter part of this month (January). It will be a 10-day trip… staying with family and connecting with people in our churches. Hopefully, there will be more home visits and less preaching this time.
I’d appreciate your prayers…