Uncomfortable and loving it

Saturday night at Fun Spot was insanely busy, so when I saw the smiling faces of the other missionaries coming to visit us at work, I was beyond thrilled.

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Of course, I didn’t have much time to talk to them because I was swamped, but I still really appreciated what they did. I learned a few things from their brief hello.

I asked my friend and coworker, Catelyn, what she thought of a ride at the park called Hot Seat. She said while she was on it, she was petrified and really uncomfortable, but after she got off she absolutely loved it.

I think that’s a great metaphor for this summer. At times, it’s difficult. I miss the life I was so comfortable in. I miss
• My friends and family.
• The Baptist Student Ministry.
• The kids I love to play with.
• Name-brand sodas.
• Getting mail.
• Driving my own car.
• Using a dishwasher.
• Showering in water that doesn’t smell like boiled eggs.
• My free time.
• My excessive number of t-shirts.
• Having unlimited Internet.

This much of a life change is hard. At times it stressful — the scanners at work stop working, I run on almost no sleep, I stand out in the heat for hours, or someone just pushes my buttons. 

This summer is simply uncomfortable at times —like being the minority at church, sleeping in a bed that just doesn’t smell like yours, and even a bad Florida sunburn.

At times I’m scared that:
• I won’t be able to help anyone know Christ.
• People at work won’t like me.
• The youth won’t accept me.
• My friends will forget about me because I don’t have the time to talk to them.

I’ve even scared that people think this mission trip is more of a “vacation.”

But once I get off this ride of a summer, I’m going to look back and love it, maybe even want to do it again. God is getting me out of my comfort zone. He’s showing me a small glimpse of my many blessings. He’s teaching me to have faith in him and not rely on my normal routine. He’s teaching me about patience and long suffering, and getting rid of a sense of entitlement and pride I didn’t see in myself. He’s refining my trust in him and reinforcing my identity. I am his and was saved for his glory and to continually bring him glory.

So, like the Hot Seat ride, this summer is going to be scary and uncomfortable at times, but overall it will be incredible.


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I’m having a great time here in Kissimmee, but it is difficult and splendid at the same time. My prayer is that the difficulties as well as the fun times bring glory to God!

Ashley Mims, a student at Midwestern State University, is serving in Florida with Go Now Missions as a part of ROCK (Reaching Orlando with Compassion and Kindness).


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