Month six, sometimes I still wake up and think that I am in my bed back home, and sometimes I know I am not and still lay there with my eyes closed wishing I was. It’s the holiday season, and anyone who has ever been away from home during this time of year can agree it is a time that is conducive for homesickness. In Vietnam there exists a strange paradox around Christmas time. When entering into any store or other building you are relentlessly reminded that it is the Christmas season with Vietnamese dubbed over American Christmas songs, songs of snow, evergreens, and general winter beauty. However, upon exiting said establishments, you are then overwhelmed by the fact that it is 90 degrees and the humidity makes you feel as if you just wrapped yourself in a wet wool blanket. This paradox creates within me a strange feeling of resentment for the apparent utter lack of realization that, yes it is very hot outside and these songs make no sense within this temperature context, and a deep longing to be home so that I can be with my family and friends again as I have been for every Christmas until this one.
It is all too easy to read of Jesus telling us that we must set our hand to the plow and not look back, or that we must give up all things including our families (yes I know there are several connotations to both of these verses) when we are at home with them, and altogether different when you are away and it often seems that nostalgic thoughts of loved ones are all that fill your mind. While living in this state of the here and now, and also the future hope of seeing my family, I have learned a few things. For starters, I for one am not generally happy living in the here and now, which is mainly because my happiness is situational, and on the race you are not always in the best situations. However, I am learning that living in the present is what we are called to do, and that while we may not always be happy we can choose to be joyful, independent of the immediate situation.
The decision to choose joy even when it is difficult can have huge implications on our life and how we relate to others. While sitting at a restaurant, consumed with thoughts of home and my want to be there, I was given the opportunity to focus on someone else instead of myself. My waiter named Diep came to me as I waited for my food and began to talk with me. I fortunately chose to enter into conversation with him instead of allowing myself to sit in my own unhappiness. After talking to him for a while he told me that he works almost every day, and for about half the minimum wage paid to an American worker. He lives with his sister away from his family, and still struggles to make ends meet unless he works as much as he does.
I thoroughly believe that each person faces struggles in their lives that cannot be quantified and compared to someone else’s. However, when met with the truth of Diep’s everyday life, I later realized that my situation could be reassessed, that I could choose joy instead of misery. I believe Jesus would probably agree with this, he however, may say something along the lines of, “when walking the path of life do not look at your brother’s with envy, for each path has its hills and valleys, instead take joy knowing that your path is your own, and your Father is walking it with you.” I say all things to tell you that I believe we are called to choose to live in the present, and in joy. I may not have it down just yet, but I believe I am on the right path, and this is a choice and a path that we can all walk down.
Thanks for reading you guys. I am currently about $3,000 dollars from being FULLY FUNDED! So if you want to see me continue this awesome journey, you can donate by clicking the “support me” link on the left side of this page, or contact me by email at: [email protected].
Thanks you guys.
Sincerely in Christ,
Garrett
