When I met my Salvadoran husband, I had one problem: I’d already fallen in love. With a country. I’d lived in Istanbul two years and hoped to return. When Jose asked me to marry him, I thought long and hard. Did I love him enough to give up my dream of living in Turkey?
I decided I did. When we married, I was sure I’d spend the rest of my life in El Salvador, eating mangos and learning to love rain.
God had other plans.
I still remember the day we landed in Izmir with 17 suitcases and 2 preschoolers. My husband handled the suitcases; I kept the kids in tow. We moved into a spanking new apartment with loud pistachio green walls (which I did not love.) We unpacked those suitcases and set up house.
Every day we made new discoveries: Turkish coffee, Turkish delight, and Turkish music blaring on the mini-buses we hopped on to get around. We heard the call to prayer, explored open air markets bursting with produce, and learned to love eggplant. We scouted out the surrounding area: beaches, Greek ruins, and olive trees. Olive trees everywhere.
We loved the people most of all. Friendly neighbors who knocked on the door with plates of cake or stuffed grape leaves. New friends with hospitality we could NEVER outdo. And tea. That went along with the people. We drank lots of tea with our new friends.
I thought God brought me to Turkey to share His love, but He also had other plans.
I thought He would work through me, but He wanted to do a greater work in me.
I’d come to teach others; I didn’t know what God was going to teach me.
I didn’t know how hard it would be. I didn’t know that this country, for all its beauty, can suck the life out of you because it’s a spiritual desert where few know the Savior.
But I looked at the olive trees and figured if they could flourish on this semi-arid landscape, then so could I. My daily quiet time became my life line because God refreshed me each day, even during discouraging times. My Turkish brothers and sisters were another life saver. In a desert where most people say, “No thanks,” to the waters of eternal life, my faith family reminded me that God was at work. I learned that when we stuck together, met together, prayed together, and worshiped together, our lights shone brighter.
Like those olive trees, I learned to thrive in the face of challenge. (Even though I didn’t always feel like I was thriving.)
I don’t have any magic formula, just two secrets so simple that we sometimes overlook them.
1. Make Sure You’re Planted in the Right Place
It’s tempting to center our lives on our family, friends, ministry, or career, but sooner or later those disappoint. We can only flourish if we’re planted in God, with our lives centered on Him and our eyes fixed on Him no matter what.
2. Grow Roots Down Deep
We need God’s Word and God’s Church to grow roots that anchor us down. As we read God’s Word, as we believe it, speak it, and live it, our roots grow deeper. As we meet with His people on Sundays and during the week at prayer meetings and over coffee, our roots become interconnected. We grow stronger.
What challenges are you facing, friend? Are doubt, discouragement, and unmet expectations knocking on your door? I write this with a prayer for you. We may feel like we’re barely surviving, but as we plant ourselves firmly on the Rock, we become the kind of people that thrive no matter what.
Now it’s your turn: Has God ever surprised you with something you didn’t expect? How have you learned to thrive?
If you’d like fresh servings of Faith Spilling Over delivered weekly to your inbox, enter your e-mail address in the box in the sidebar. I’d love to send you my free guide, 10 Days to More. You’ll find 10 ways to study and engage with God’s Word.
I link up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, Salt and Light with Shannon Guerin, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
“Make sure you’re planted in the right place.” Yes! I can sometimes get a little consumed with my circumstances. (OK, maybe more than a little.) Great reminder to keep focused on God!
Oh, I know what you mean, girlfriend. Me too. Let’s keep ourselves planted in Him!
Betsy,
Like you said, it’s not so much “where” we’re planted but in “Whom” we are planted. We can flourish many places if we are firmly planted in Him….great reminder!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Yes, Bev, that’s a great point. If we’re planted in Him, we can bloom any place!
I had not read this story before, but nodded yes and amen when I read your deep thoughts on deep roots.
Blessings on your week, Michele. Let’s grow our roots down a bit deeper. 🙂
You’re so brave, Betsy. I have friends who just returned from a few weeks serving refugees in Greece. Their experiences there were simply holy. I’m blessed to hear stories of those who travel and/or live abroad to share the love of Jesus!
Betsy, I remember the first time I read some of your story over at God-Sized Dreams and it always encourages me. I love hearing what God has done in you and through you. Thanks for the reminder of these truths, my friend. It’s so easy to get distracted from what matters the most.
Thanks, Abby. I appreciate the encouragement. Yes, let’s focus on what’s really important. Our relationship with God and what He’s calling us to do.
What a great post, Betsy! I’ve also learned that I can live anywhere as long as I have Christ. Without his grace, I am not fulfilled anywhere but with Jesus, I thrive everywhere. Thank you. And abundant blessings to you and yours. And sending a cool breeze from Finland! P.S. We’d love to have some of your hot weather up here!
Enjoy those cool breezes in Finland, Mari-Anna! I love what you’re saying about how with Jesus, we can thrive everywhere! True.
Such an interesting story, Betsy. I really enjoyed the multicultural perspective mixed with the two truths based on God’s Word. Happy to share this on FB and Twitter.
Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate you.
I’m so grateful we have God’s word to turn to as our firm foundation. I can hardly imagine life without verses flitting through my mind, or the rush that comes when God meets us right where we are through His word. Beautiful encouragement, Betsy. I’m praying and looking forward to the day we get to enjoy a cup of tea together. xoxo
Thanks so much, Tiffany. I’m looking forward to that day too!
Wow, I didn’t know you were there first! I thought Turkey was your husband’s idea or a mutual plan that sprang up after marriage. I can only imagine the roots God has given you there. You painted it well….and I’m looking forward to reading more about life in Turkey.
Yes, I spent a total of two and a half years here before I married. And yes, I can hardly imagine any other life. (As much as I do enjoy the conveniences of life stateside.)
What a God story. Love it!
I’m so grateful to Him, Sarah.
Betsy- I want to thrive in any challenge also:) Your 2 points are great if we want to thrive wherever we are.
Great post!
Visiting from #Salt&Light
Praying here you’ll thrive this week, Julie.
Great post Betsy and I hope the book writing is going well. It sounds like a fabulous topic.
Thanks for your encouragement, Rachel
Planting in the right place is so important. Thank you for the reminder. Love this post. Stopping by from Grace and Truth Link Up.
Thanks for reading, Timberly.
Oh, how God surprises me. I never thought I’d teach junior high, and then I did it for 20 years-longer than I taught elementary school. I never dreamed I’d live anywhere but southern California, but in 2 weeks I move to Arizona. Change helps me to fix my eyes on Jesus instead of myself.
Wow! God’s grace on your move to Arizona, Debbie. May you stay planted in Him!
I am definitely facing some challenges and needed your practical but simple tips for bearing up under them. Thanks so much for sharing!
Praying for you now, friend.
So fun to learn more of your story, Betsy! I can relate to not loving loud pistachio green walls … in my opinion, they should NEVER be in a kitchen! 🙂 God has other plans a lot, doesn’t He? Remembering times when His plans far exceeded mine help me when I’m in the middle of another “Um, this isn’t quite how I imagined it” season!
Did you have walls like that in your kitchen once?! Hah! Yes, God’s plans are OFTEN different than ours. 🙂