Erin (not) in Paris
I recently got caught up in a series on Netflix called “Emily in Paris.” Ironically, I, Erin, was supposed to be in Paris too right now. And similar to the character, was filled with excitement for this lifelong dream to go for “work.”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. It was the trip my husband and chocolate aunty and uncle were going to take in 2014 to help me get inspiration to open my own chocolate store. But instead, I got pregnant with our first baby so had to postpone our trip. Then it was work, work, work non-stop in building, growing, then re-building a business. Finally, we agreed as the kids were older and I celebrate 10 years of the chocolate shop staying in business, we would finally go!
But God had other plans.
An unexpected life impacting health issue changed the situation and we said “Au revoir” to Paris.
Quite honestly, I was completely fine not going (though my family urged me to go anyway), because more than anything, I just wanted my family to be well and held onto hope that we will one day still go together. And although this is still true in my heart, I didn’t realize I would be sad that I still hadn’t been to the city I’ve been longing and waiting to go to for at least a decade. The cobblestone streets of boutiques, exquisite chocolates, fresh pastries, daily espresso, and just sitting around people watching, taking in the sights, art, and fashion, listening to the beautiful French language, and soaking it all in is a vision in my mind I can’t shake.
Perhaps God knew I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it anyway. There’s still much work to do and school never stops, so the timing wouldn’t have been right anyway. I have not learned the French way to work to live rather than live to work.
And never say never. Family is finding its way through the new health challenges and holding onto faith. Plus, this whole thing made our walk with God that much stronger as we continue to rely on Him every step of the way. So truthfully, God’s plans and His timing may still better.
So at least “We’ll always have Paris!”
Well, that was the famous quote I was going to part with until I realized the meaning of this quote, was it was to be said after sharing a special moment in Paris, at least the memory would endure despite what the future holds. Since I haven’t yet been to Paris to create that memory and I don’t know what the future holds, I’ll end with “c’est la vie.” Because even though I write this blog on a morning in Hawai`i and not in Paris, I am sitting on a hotel balcony, overlooking a beautiful city, with a coffee, a croissant, and God’s peace in my heart…and that’s not so bad oui?
Do you still have a dream in your heart? A city you long to see?
Let’s find peace by piece in knowing that God knows the desires of our heart and He’s not done. It may just be His answer right now is non, or not yet. And who knows…it may be for our own good. He is still working in all of us and still has great plans for us.
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalm 37:4
