There’s this subconscious list that’s inside the mind of every Racer once they return to their “homeland.” And behind the smirks or wide-eyes we calculate the differences, subtle or obvious, of the world around us. We’re adjusting to a culture that’s been foreign to us for a long time. During our year away we were met with this challenge as we were introduced to new cultures about every four weeks. Pause and slow-down. Now it’s only one. Fortunately, this time around we should have a bit more grace being that it is our own country of origin.
In certain other countries we had to “watch our faces” (be careful of inappropriate facial expressions) so as to not insult the natives. Going with the grace thing I mentioned earlier I’m going to take full American liberty of my freedom of speech to let you know how different it’s been for me here in the good ol’ US of A…
I had to pay $25 (a weeks worth of food on the Race) for an emission test for my car. (PT = personal transportation) Unnecessary expense or doing my part for global warming?
I often think my thoughts as directly related to how they would appear on Facebook, the internet, or texting. Slightly pathetic. But I have had many many powerful situations that prove the huge value of face to face conversations in English.
I can request “no tomato” or “no cheese” on items at a restaurant and even my own bill. Though serving sizes at restaurants are as big as my head…and yours.
I can pause, rewind, and fast-forward live television. I mean, really? Either one necessary? Let me learn how to pause real life first.
I see grass everyday. I see chickens only when I walk through the meat section at the grocery store.
Life make me smile. It sometimes makes me sad.
I haven’t needed to pull out my passport for the half dozen state-lines I’ve crossed. No new stamps.
I have a significantly smaller amount of people to say good-night to before I crawl into a warm bed.
I’ve had to say good-bye to people, things, and places in order to live a more healthy and simple lifestyle.
I think of “Christian-ese” and get a headache. The unmotivated, un-trained, and un-challenged young generation and get nauseous.
I miss the orphans and the poor.
They say you can create a habit in 21 days. Please allow me to add that in 11 months you can pretty much change the whole direction of your life.
Praise the Lord! God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
God still hears every prayer I call out. He speaks to me directly. He still sends me the simple messages of gentle love everyday. God brings me to His throne and reminds me that He is in control. My Father, still today, tells me of His grace and mercy. He gives them to me new each morning. He forgives my selfishness still. I have continually been asking Him for more grace and unconditional love and the patience for His people. He is forever faithful and always ready for me to trust Him more.
GRACE and TRUST.
[World Race factoid of the day: While we were in Thailand and Cambodia we saw shirts in bright colors at the markets. On the front they read “SAME SAME” and on the back they read “BUT DIFFERENT.” We learned it’s a saying that’s more often used when teaching or explaining things. Such as – if I’m teaching English and show them a pen and a pencil I would say “Same same but different.” If I were explaining futbol and football I would say “Same same but different.”]
