Great good unknown

So many things we don't know.

The age and contents of that ziploc bag in the corner of the fridge.

Who's going to win the Superbowl.

What's going to happen in the next year or month or week or moment. 

We don't know. We can't know for sure.

And it's frustrating.

I'm a girl who likes to know what's coming. Surprises are not my favorite and do us both a favor – NEVER sneak up on me when I'm deep in thought.

Some things we do know.

If you watch a movie that includes Schwarzenegger or Stallone, you are going to see a lot of things go boom. When the doorbell rings or a squirrel lights up his radar, Charlie dog is going to bark like a Beagle on a badger scent. And my favorite…gravity works.

Aside from a few certainties, life is a lot about guessing, mitigating potential outcomes, putting forth our hopeful best efforts, and for folks so inclined – prayer. 

Recently, I witnessed a team of parents release their children into the great unknown of the World Race. The World Race is one of the ways Adventures in Mission invites folks to get outside of their comfy zone, get discipled, and live well as they love the folks that most people would not see.* 

It's 11 countries in 11 months of orphanages, the very poorest people, arid countries, desperate needs, old forsaken Europe, 36-hour bus rides, getting real about living in community, and going to where darkness has a hold on people. (I want to go.)

As a parent, I've released my kids to colleges, the Army, and a great American unknown. They've released me to missions and this newly minted married life. There are tears, but no Bangla Road full of women, men, and children ensnared in the sex industry.

Sending your babies…sending your shining lights to countries that you did not even know existed a few months ago (Moldova or Monrovia anyone?) to encounter the very poorest of folks in hope and resources? I'm not sure how they do it though I'd love for our kids to check out the World Race so we can all find out.

I think that World Race parents have a handle on or are drawing closer to the reality of a Great Good Unknown and of the God who carries their family in his coat pocket next to his heart. 

Releasing our kids to push back against a present darkness is frightening. The unknown is a place of either trust or fear. I've seen parents launch their kids into a Great Good Unknown with sweetness, trust, humor, and dignity – tears included.

I've watched parents cling to and helicopter over their kids who were just going to college a mile away from their childhood homes.

It's a tough thing – this Great Good Unknown. And it is so good, too.

What would we have missed had we insisted on knowing what was coming around the corner?

I would have missed two tremendous kids in my life because I'd have balked and bolted at three days (and 1.5 days) of back labor if I'd known what was in store. I'd have missed both Madi and Kenan and that would have meant missing everything important.

I'd have missed Howard and giggling at his quirky sense of humor and the irresistible grin that reaches to his eyes. You see, when Kacie first asked if her dad could call me…I said everything but, "yes."

Family, friends, adventures, triathlons, surprises, and great coffee would have been lost to me had I stalled for time and 100% certainty. 

In this world fraught with the unknown and dangers and life, it is a temptation to dig in our heels until we KNOW.

Know this: God is not asleep. He loves you. He is trustworthy and on time (though sometimes you wonder if his watch is slow.)

Some risks into the unknown are worth taking.
Prayer is essential.

*Adventures in Missions Founder & Executive Director, Seth Barnes, is one of those parents who just launched his child onto the World Race. That's him in the picture above, praying with colleague and friend, Clint Bokelman, and parents of a World Racer.  Check out Seth's blog, Radical Living in a Comfortable World, at www.SethBarnes.com. You'll get to know more about Seth, his wife, Karen, and growing, launching, leaving, and returning kids.