This month has honestly been COMPLETELY different than I ever imagined. It’s been a lot harder to get connected in Greece than anticipated. It’s been challenging without a ministry host & laid out ministry focus. BUT its been a blessing in allowing us to get a realistic picture of what life will be like when we get back to the States.
Thessaloniki, just like America, is a very consumeristic society. It’s also extremely busy. Everyone is always in a hurry to get to the next thing. And yes, I have ZERO room to talk. I struggle with this on the reg, so what a wake up call its been to look around me & see how dehumanizing that can be to
the barista
the sales associate
the taxi driver
the waiter
the homeless man or woman I walk by every single day
This dehumanizing happens when consumerism & the next thing on our agendas is our top priority rather than loving God & loving others.
God has really opened my eyes this month to the need for people to be acknowledged.
He is showing me the necessity of being interruptible.
Its LIFE GIVING when I make it a point to say hi & intentionally speak to those I normally jut pass by. Life-giving for the person I choose (yes its a choice) to acknowledge as well as for me. This is what the Lord has been calling me to this month:
Asking their name & actually remembering their name.
Asking them how they are doing.
Making eye contact with them & thanking them for the job they do.
OH. MY. STARS. Let me tell you it has not been comfortable. For this slightly more introverted than extroverted human & one who doesn’t often speak to strangers unless spoken to, it has been challenging & humbling. Oh and TOTALLY awkward at times. However, its been worth all the uncomfortableness & awkward encounters.
Why? This is why:
EVERYONE DESERVED TO BE SEEN & VALUED BECAUSE THEY ARE SEEN & VALUED BY THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE WHO GIVES US BREATH & without whom we wouldn’t even exist right now!!
I want them to know that they are valued not just for the job that they do but for the fact that they are made in the image of God. And because of that they are worthy of dignity & respect!!! This is true for you & I as well. 🙂
Oh yes & guess what yall, the Lord did it again, He brought in the $500 on the Go Fund Me within 3 days! 3 DAYS!!!!! Well if that wasn’t comformation for us to be here than I dont know what is. THANK YOU for supporting us! Please continue to be in prayer for this month, we have two more full weeks in Thessaloniki and we want to steward it well. 🙂
