Yesterday, I walked into a Walmart for the first time in more than a year.
It’s not that it was just a Walmart, it’s basically the embodiment of all things familiar and comfortable.
There were times on the race I just wanted something…anything that was familiar and comfortable. I would have probably gone extremely out of my way for it.
Occasionally, I was able to smuggle things to me from America through my squad coaches or mentor.
The first few months, I wanted to request everything. I wanted them to bring me all the things. All the comfortable things.
Now, after embracing this journey of abandonment, when I have the opportunity to smuggle things in, I usually just end up asking for a quality pen or nothing really…
It’s funny, now that I get it.
Now that I can live with little.
Now that I’m okay with just about every sleeping arrangement or living situation…
Now that I’m used to living on a 5ish dollars a day budget.
Now that the whole community thing starts to click with everyone…
It’s time to go back into the abundance that is America, the “western world”, the first world. Time to go back into the individualistic culture we escaped for a year.
It’s going to be hard all over again to go back to it, but not conform to it. To embrace culture shock, large crowds, loud places and everyone speaking a language I understand.
I’m so thankful to have had this year.
To have gained a whole new perspective.
(as I was writing this blog in my mind, I was standing in front of the fridge and I read these sticky notes)
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13
