I wrote this a couple of years ago and want to share.......
So, it’s the night before we leave for Kenya and I am so emotional. This is not a huge surprise for me but what’s surprising is where my emotions are coming from. This entire week leading up to tonight I have felt like I’m in a movie although I can’t make out what’s playing because this movie is on fast forward times four. From demands, requests, questions, and inquiries I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I often hear friends say, "Take a deep breath and relax." Immediately I would say, "You’re right. I will do that." Just as soon as I try to "slow down" my phone will immediately start to ring with someone else’s crisis leaving me running around trying to "fix it." As I sat down to write this journal entry I realized that I am pulled in so many different directions from so many different people. At this very moment I have again thought about the significance of this trip and what it means to me and my daughter. We are leaving a country that moves so fast with the use of technology and cell phones and are going to a country where time stops. The worries that could be (like not having a cell phone) are often not a concern because they are just fighting to survive. There is a gratefulness that having breath is the greatest blessing one could have and living another day is celebrated. Breath alone is enough reason to call anyone "rich." I’m leaving a country where we have free education but we still find reasons to complain. Africa, as we all know, does not offer free education. Children become parents because parents die far too young all because they could not receive proper medical treatment or medication for a disease that could easily be treated. My point is this: I am slowing down, reassessing what’s important in my life, and readjusting. I will no longer be a part of this rat race. Life (to me) is more than the materialistic things of this world. People are dying all over this world (including the U.S.) from hunger, aids, polluted water, etc. How can I be content with my life when I have not done my part in extending a helping hand? How can I sleep well at night knowing that I have not helped? How can I turn a blind eye and say, "They will squander what we give them" when all they really want is to be shown how to fish, not just given fish.
In Matthew 25:35-40 (and you can read further if you dare) it says it perfectly:
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
How can I turn a blind eye after reading that? This movie on THIS night is no longer on fast forward times four. I can now recognize the movie playing and it’s actually not a movie at all. It’s a story called "My Life". Let that story be a story of compassion, love, forgiveness, and my love. Let that story be one of living in the moment, remaining true to myself, and a search for my divine life purpose and soul mission. Let that story be an inspiration to all that see it. In all that I do…..I give all of the glory to YOU! God is my source, inspiration, and first true love. He resides on the inside of us all and He has made us all beautiful in His eyes.
Slow down, smell the roses, notice the sky, smile at the birds, and take in this beautiful earth that God has blessed us with. As I take a deep breath and relax, I sign off for now with God’s peace and love. Whatever you need from me can wait……Kenya HERE WE COME!!!!
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