Imagine waking up every two hours with back pain, feeling the hard cement floor below your back. You know that you could have bought a nicer sleeping pad, had you only known yours would stink but it is too late now. There are no REI’s, no Target’s, no Walmart’s in the entire continent.
It was a hard month. I had to let go of the idea that God wanted me to be comfortable and would give me what I wanted. Back home if I was unable to sleep at night, I would drive to Rosedale Mall and purchase a new foam pad or even a new mattress. That is simply not possible. There are no stores in the entire continent of Africa that sell the sleeping pad I need to rest easy at night. So I am forced to see everyone else’s comfortable sleeping pads and I must learn to be content with what I have.
Many American Christians have come to find an easy, comfortable faith but I am finding that God does not promise a “comfortable” walk with Him, he only promises to give you an eternal comfort that only comes through faith in Him. I began thinking about discontentment and found that even though last month was hard, I was actually able to find true comfort in God.
Getting to South Africa for debrief and having my own bunk bed was the best feeling. I have never been more appreciative of a bed in my life. I felt like royalty finally sleeping in an air-conditioned room with a mattress under my back. It is amazing how quickly you can appreciate the little things. A year ago the idea of sleeping in a small room with nine other girls and all of our stuff for an entire year would not have sounded like my version of happiness but after last month, it feels as if I have won the lottery.
I think one of the main things I am learning this year is that perspective can change so quickly. Stripping myself of all my American comforts, living out of a backpack for an entire year and seeing how so many people around the world truly live has changed my perspective forever.
