My grandpa tells this story from his days of ministry. This couple came to him and told him that their children had felt God calling them to become foreign missionaries. As a pastor Grandpa was excited for them. He talked about how excited they must be that their children were going to do something so wonderful such as dedicating their lives to telling others about Jesus. Then he sent them on their way.
Some years later Grandpa's oldest daughter, my aunt, and her husband came to my Grandpa. They told him that God had called them to be missionaries in Austria. They were taking three of Grandpa's grandchildren and moving to the other side of the world. They were going to dedicate their lives to telling others about Jesus.
Suddenly Grandpa's perspective changed. He realized how that couple must have felt all those years ago.
Yes, his child becoming a missionary was a wonderful thing but it was hard on Grandpa. This was his child that was leaving. She may have been an adult but she was still his little girl and he would miss her. And he would miss his three grandchildren that were also moving. He wasn't going to get to watch them grow up.
Then the Lord reminded Grandpa of something. I don't think Grandpa heard an audible voice but he still heard the Lord speak and say "You dedicated her to me."
That's the hard part. When my aunt was born Grandpa and Grandma dedicated her to the Lord. They promised they would raise her to love Him and teach her to serve Him. So when she came to them and say that she was doing just that who were they to argue?
That doesn't mean it didn't hurt though. They missed her when she left, and they still miss her over thirty years later but they're also incredibly proud of her.
When you give your life to the Lord, or you give your children to the Lord, He doesn't tell you what path He'll take you down. You sign your name at the bottom of the page and He fills in the contract details later. It may be painful at times but it will always be worth it. God works all things together for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. After my aunt and uncle became missionaries their family grew- they have a daughter who was adopted, and they've had many blessings from their time there. They've also been able to lead others to Christ and bring many closer to Him. It may not have been Grandpa's chosen path for his oldest daughter but He's grateful for the road that God put her on.
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