Learning Missionary-ese

Back home, there’s this phrase that my friends and I love: “Praise God”. We say it anytime we see the Lord’s faithfulness. We say it in both the “big” moments and the “little” moments. AKA we say it a lot. For example, when one of us loses our keys for a few hours and then they finally pop back up- “Praise God”. When we hear about one of our lost friends encountering the Lord- “Praise God”. When He provides financially for one of us- “Praise God”. It might seem silly but it’s something that I carry with me and I find myself saying all the time. I’ve always loved it, but recently, I feel like I’ve been living it.

There’s this stereotype that missionaries are smiley, joyful, and energetic people. At least that’s what I pictured when I thought of a missionary. Before I got here being that “happy” missionary all the time didn’t seem very attainable, especially because I wouldn’t consider myself an overly bubbly or extroverted person. I didn’t understand why people could remain so content despite their circumstances, but now I’m finally starting to see why:

These people are living from an overflow of the joy and goodness of God.

How can you not delight in that?

As I’ve picked up on this way of life, I’ve started to fall in love with it. A life spent with other believers in gratitude and praise. What a dream. In my time here, I’ve been learning this language of “Praise God” ‘s, “Thank you Lord” ‘s, and “God is so good” ‘s. As simple as it sounds, it has been so life-giving. This “missionary-ese” quickly opened my eyes to the fact that at home I often skimmed over the subject of gratitude, thinking, “I probably should be more thankful” and yet never making it a practice in my life. I deeply regret it. I beg you to prioritize the rhythm of sitting with Him and genuinely thanking Him for who He is. It will change your life.

The past couple weeks I’ve gotten to share in so many sweet moments with my community and the Lord. Out of all of the many memories made, my favorites have been the times when I’ve allowed myself to slow down, reflect, and delight in Him. Every time I’ve done this, I’ve been so overwhelmed with the goodness of God that all I’m physically able to do or say is tell Him thank you.

“Thank you for knowing me so well that you knew I would thrive here.”
“Thank you for revealing yourself to me through these people.”
“Thank you for being my best friend.”
“Thank you for the warm sun, the chirping birds, the soft grass, and the gentle sound of the wind.”
“Thank you for giving me leaders whose love for you only amplifies mine.”
“Thank you that I’m alive.”
“Thank you for making me filling me with childlike joy.”
“Thank you for loving me so well.”
“Thank you that I’m here.”
“Thank you that you’re here.”

I invite you to join in learning “missionary-ese”. I encourage you to take the time out of your day (which hopefully isn’t too busy for you to thank the giver and author of your life) and thank Him. Look at your life and look at what He’s given you. If you do that, I promise you that won’t be able to miss His goodness.

“I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.”

Psalm 34:1 MSG

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”

Psalm 34:8 NLT