Being in Johannesburg this month has gotten me thinking about home. Or rather, what my life will be like back in “normal life�. Johannesburg is still Africa but it’s got skyscrapers, malls, Bentleys, hot showers, suburbia, coffee shops and more. It’s started me on a self-assessment kick. How have I changed on The Race? What do I want changed in me before I am thrust back into normalcy (or something like it) in 4.5 months? What are people going to think of the changed me? Where will I fit in?
I thought I could at least make things easier on myself by letting you guys in on some of the changes happening in me. That way, at least you can’t say you weren’t warned. J And call it a teaser because I have 4.5 months left on The Race and I know God has tons more for me to learn in this journey.
So, some changes to expect …..
-I will not cease to comment on how amazing even a small meal is.
-Chik-fil-A visits and free ketchup might make me tear up.
-I won’t be able to let any food go to waste. Seeing pizza in the trash almost physically pains me. J
-I will talk about this past year in countries instead of months.
-My cleanliness standards will not be up to yours.
-Gross gas station bathrooms will not phase me. I’ll probably just mumble something about Moldova and what a blessing toilet paper is and head on in.
-I’ll probably take an hour to get ready to go somewhere because I have waaaay too many clothing options. Seriously, I’ll probably go into shock when I see my closet at home.
-I may make some odd fashion decisions- socks ‘n flops/flats anyone?
-I won’t be worried about getting lost somewhere. (I mean, everyone speaks English, what do you have to worry about?)
-It’ll take me a while to realize that I don’t have to keep my valuables within eyesight at all times.
-In almost every conversation I’ll probably insert something like “there was this one time in Bucharest…�
-I will be perfectly happy spending all day at a coffee shop just reading my Bible and journaling.
-I probably shouldn’t go anywhere alone for the first while or I’ll have a mental breakdown.
-Along those same lines, I will need plenty of daily alone time with God. A 5 minute prayer or verse in the morning will not cut it. I need at least an hour with God or I get grumpy.
-I won’t need a live band to worship. Give me an ipod or music on a computer and I’ll rock out with God.
-Things like prophecy, speaking in tongues, spirits, the Holy Spirit, visions and more “weird� Biblical things may come up in normal conversation.
-I’ll much rather talk about God than the weather. I was never that good at small talk and now I just skip it all together.
So, this is just a small sampling of some changes you can expect. This year has been so incredibly life-changing and I can’t wait to see how much more God changes me in the next 4 months. And hey, these changes could go both ways. Let me know what I can expect to see changed in you when I get back.
