Have you ever tried looking through two rolls of toilet
paper and pretend they were binoculars? :)
I am overwhelmed with emotion as I write this.
The sense of a thrilling combination of peace, love, and joy
rooted in the blessings from the Lord fills me to my most inner being.
Life is now viewed from a different lens. Everything. Literally, everything. From
choosing to intentionally wait in line at the grocery store to have an
excitement of a potential connection with the cashier checker; or try to
connect with a woman you walk passed through a simple smile; or heck, maybe
even park in the back of the lot not fighting for the closest open spot because
somewhere in the world, life is different. Think about it. Somewhere, there is
one person who has walked many miles to receive the one portion of food they
will have for the day. You, on the other hand (between your nine-to-five and
hot Valentines date tonight) you just pop in to the store to get a quick box of
her favorite candy and maybe her favorite bouquet of flowers--the flowers are
my weakness by the way if anyone is wanting to know! ;) Well now this presents an issue. A heart issue, for me
anyway. Alright, here it goes: I believe God has deliberately put me here where
I am in this moment. He chose the time, the country, the decade.. everything.
He gave me life in Colorado
(which, I may add, is something to be quite proud of due to the fact of the
level of that state’s exceeding amount of awesomeness). He chose to make me
into the being that I am. He created me. Why? Well that’s an entirely different
question I think about every day that I breathe. But I have seen different lifestyles, if you will. I have been
wonderfully blessed enough to experience life through different lenses. Being
in the shoes of the woman, not just figuratively speaking now, who actually
does have to make that long, hot, grueling walk to the market on the other side
of the village, of the city! Oh boy, oh boy. Let me tell you! (Talkin’ like I
live in the south or somethin crazy like that) It changes you. You begin to
think differently.
This is how
I have learned to live life in Africa and the
Navajo Reservation regardless of where I may find myself geographically. Life is
different where ever you find yourself, I believe. Life is lived differently on
the East Coast than the West Coast, or if you are South African I should say
the Eastern Cape and Western Cape . ;) Plain and simple! Matter of
fact if ya ask me. However, I have begun learning the common denominators now
having experienced so many different cultures and lifestyles and people in such
a short amount of time. Man oh man does this change my perspective. I love it,
but I am also overwhelmed by the incredible amount of positive response these
actions and this mindset are having on my life.
You could choose from a few different options. You could
have picked up three or four small items at Walmart. You know what American
society has taught us? Efficiency, quickness, convenience. None of this things
are bad things, proportionally of course. Does our country seem to be one of
proportionality? I personally think not. Lets not get into politics..this is my
blog, my thoughts. I would just like to clarify that is my purpose of writing
these crazy thoughts for people to see. (That is what these are, my thoughts.
For me to process, for you to enjoy, and to watch what happens as a result. I
do respect anyone’s differing opinion and do not wish to force my own opinion
and experience on anyone.) We are a society and culture that focus on ‘me,’
‘I,’ ‘great,’ and ‘fast.’ C’mon people. Lets not live that way. We miss out on
so much if that’s how we experience our lives! Im sayin.
Instead of instinctively choosing to go to the self check-out,
intentionally choose to wait in the long line so you could maybe connect in
someway with the cashier working. The cashier that has three young children at
home, they are working two jobs and trying to provide for a family. Or maybe a
young woman who is the only girl in her mechanics class. She has been doing so
well in school, they are giving her two days off of class! Wow! The guys in her
class give her a hard time sayin she is cheating. Its not true, but man does it
make this woman happy to be telling someone all this! To be telling that one
person that deliberately chose to wait in that woman’s line, rather than be
efficient and quick by using the self-check out.
I speak from experience when I say practice patience. Don’t
always take the easiest route. Take yourself out of your comfort zone. Step out
in faith. That is when God shows off.
In summary, I have begun a journey of learning what it means
to #liveyourmission.
Now think about that. What does
that mean? Oh let me tell you. Firstly, it’s a ‘slogan,’ a saying if you will,
that represents the mentality behind a ministry that is near and dear to my
heart: Experience Mission. (experiencemission.org) Because God crossed my path
with theirs, my eyes have been opened to see life like Christ and now I am
madly in love with Jesus. Secondly, to me it means something wonderful. No
matter who you are, you don’t have to
travel to Central Asia or Africa or Mexico for a mission trip. Neither
do I. There are opportunities around you every single day. Open your eyes. You’ll begin to see. Look around for a
place to volunteer. Disability center? Learning center? Old age home? Soup
kitchen? Goodwill? School? Sports team? Church? If you don’t want to go that
route, try speaking with and engaging with the old security guard at the bank,
or the lady at the gym, or the little kid in line in front of you. You don’t
think that makes a difference in their day? Or how about it yours? Believe it
or not, (#ripleys) it has the potential to have massive impact. Nike. Just do it.
It has truly been life changing. Choosing to be intentional about the small
things in life make everything in life better and louder and more colorful. Live
a ‘mission trip’ where God is calling you now. Reach out to those he has
directly, lovingly, and mindfully placed around you. If he blesses you with the
ability to travel to do such a lovely thing.. GO FOR IT. But until then, don’t
just let your ‘love switch’ be in the off position. Turn that thing on, and
love a little on everyone around you.
Should I dare go as far as to
challenge you with this for your next 7 days? Eh, why not? Try it, and I would
love to hear any stories that you experience by taking this on.
Cheers.
More thoughts to come soon.
