I’ve always considered myself average. Nothing too special. Nothing too out of the ordinary. No one to be emulated. Specifically, I did not consider myself lucky in any form.
But being in Albania has changed that viewpoint. I am lucky. But it was nothing I did, or could ever do. But I am lucky because of where and when I was born. I was born with a roof over my head. In a nice hospital. And when I came home for the first time, I had clothes and diapers a plenty. When it was time for school, I had an array of school supplies to choose from. I always had new clothes to show off to friends. My family was far from being wealthy, but we were still better off than many people in the world. Growing up, this never really phased me.
When I was born, Communism and rule in the Soviet Union was beginning to disintegrate. Had I been born in Eastern Europe, my life would have turned out very differently. Had I been born in Albania in 1990, I probably would have been underfed and living in a shack with maybe one outfit. While I was growing up as a strong and healthy baby in the United States, many babies born around the world were never given the opportunity I had. I can consider my life lucky, while the life of those in Albania as reality.
When the Soviet Empire fell in 1991, the countries that were under the control of the Soviets were left with nothing. No jobs, no food, and no money. They were left to fend for themselves and try to build an economy from basically nothing. This caused a lot of Albanians to become refugees. There are more Albanians living outside of Albania then in. (3-4 million live in the country, while 5+ million live in other countries around the world).
Since 1991 (for the past 20 years), Albania has been trying to recover. And today, things are still not perfect. Times are tough. The economy is not necessarily the best. People are still leaving. People are wishing and dreaming for a chance to go to America, where the ‘land of opportunity’ is.
And here I am, free and willing to leave America to travel the world, simply because I can. When I go home and finish school, I won’t have a problem finding a job (as long as nurses stay in demand). I can get married and not fear the future for my children. Life is so different, I am so lucky compared to… pretty much the rest of the world. It’s not fair. I didn’t ask for this ‘luck’ while others are in stuck in reality.
But I know I am lucky for a reason. I know I am to use my ‘luck’ in order to help those who do not have this ‘luck’. And that is the calling the Lord has given me. A heart for His people. His sons and His daughters. Those who are not necessarily ‘lucky’ but the rest of the world that lives in reality.
