Most days go about the same. Upon waking, I walk downstairs to find the automatic coffeemaker has brewed a fresh pot of coffee. After coffee and devotions, I turn on the flat panel TV and catch the morning news & weather before heading upstairs to get dressed for the day. Ready for the day, I double-check that I have my laptop, cell phone, and yes, the keys to my Toyota Yaris---which I love and my husband loves making fun of it!---before heading out the door for the office.
On some days as I'm walking out the door of my nice home that contains all the modern conveniences that we Americans take for granted ... on some days I feel a disconnect. The contrast between my current life and my former life is so great that the one at times seems to begin to fade away. And yet I do not want that part of my life to fade away. I want to remember. I want to continue to have my goals, my desires, and my mindset tempered by a life far different from the one I now lead.
I want to remember that I lived in a remote jungle village only accessible by river or plane. I want to remember that I lived in a primitive mud and pole hut with a palm roof---and that I shared it with creatures that I often times wished God hadn't bothered to create! I'm sure snakes, spiders and scorpions had a better reputation before the fall of mankind!
I want to remember that one outhouse is enough for a crowd. Who would spend more than the absolute time necessary in a palm-walled hut shared with spiders? I want to remember that the closest thing to air-conditioning was a dip in the river. I want to remember how it felt to live without refrigeration, without microwaves, without a hair dryer, and without internet.
I want to remember that one can live without and still live a full and wonderful life, that all the trappings (as wonderful as they are!) of American society are not essential to our happiness. I want to remember that it's not about what we have, but about who we serve. It's not about what we've acquired in life, but about a relationship with the God of the Universe.
On some days as I'm walking out the door of my nice home that contains all the modern conveniences that we Americans take for granted ... on some days I feel a disconnect. The contrast between my current life and my former life is so great that the one at times seems to begin to fade away. And yet I do not want that part of my life to fade away. I want to remember. I want to continue to have my goals, my desires, and my mindset tempered by a life far different from the one I now lead.
I want to remember that I lived in a remote jungle village only accessible by river or plane. I want to remember that I lived in a primitive mud and pole hut with a palm roof---and that I shared it with creatures that I often times wished God hadn't bothered to create! I'm sure snakes, spiders and scorpions had a better reputation before the fall of mankind!
I want to remember that one outhouse is enough for a crowd. Who would spend more than the absolute time necessary in a palm-walled hut shared with spiders? I want to remember that the closest thing to air-conditioning was a dip in the river. I want to remember how it felt to live without refrigeration, without microwaves, without a hair dryer, and without internet.
I want to remember that one can live without and still live a full and wonderful life, that all the trappings (as wonderful as they are!) of American society are not essential to our happiness. I want to remember that it's not about what we have, but about who we serve. It's not about what we've acquired in life, but about a relationship with the God of the Universe.
