My plans never matched God's plans for me and in a sense, I am so glad. My dream was to go to journalism school in Rio de Janeiro and maybe work for a newspaper. God's plans were for me to immigrate to the US and live here. 13 years have gone by since I first arrived with $200 dollars in my pocket and 1 suitcase. As I look back I can honestly say that God has been faithful. How did I overcome missing Brazil and my family through these years? My answer can be found in one word: Purpose.
Purpose is "the reason for which something exists or is done, made or used." For 13 years I continue to learn what is my Godly Purpose in this land. Once God was involved in my Purpose I gained assurance and peace. I was sure that the God who brought me here is well able to guide me in all Truth. I have also found a lot of peace in the fact that I am where God wants me to be.
The Bible is filled with God's purposes for me, so I choose to be connected with the Word as a lifeline. Through Bible reading as well as fellowship with God and His people I learned that I am His beloved daughter before I am a citizen of Brasil, a wife, a mother and a business owner. Here are two anchor scriptures marked in my heart when it comes to my immigration experience:
"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" Ephesians 2:19 (NKJV)
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Philippians 3:20 (NKJV)
As I internalize this truth, my everyday life here becomes sweeter.
I don't think I will ever overcome missing my family and friends but I know that I can find strength in knowing what is God's Purpose for my life.
The lessons I learned in this last decade came from being open to God's plan for my life. I am sure I could not completely have learned them in my home country because being here caused me to be dependent on God in a deeper level.
Today I am more mature in my knowledge of who I am in Christ. I know I am here to bless this land with the gifts and talents God has given me.
I pray that you too can seek God's Purpose for your life. You have so much to give and God wants us to bloom where we are planted. Remember that when your heart longs for home Comfort will come because you have the Comforter inside of you. May God continue to strengthen all my fellow immigrants.
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