Oh America. The beautiful.
I daydream of the things I will do when I get back…
- I will take a bath. With HOT water.
- I will drive my car again. (without having to have anyone with me)
- I will eat sushi and not question if it is a really bad decision.
- I will pick up a phone and call anyone I want.
- I will choose my outfit from my closet without having to smell it first.
- I will have a REAL toilet with endless amounts of toilet paper.
Isn’t it strange that I am excited about those things?
Tell me- have you ever been excited to see toilet paper in a bathroom before?
(Me neither; before I came on the race)
But… Isn’t it strange that I would be excited about those things?
Of course, it may be more of a convenience- but will it bring me more JOY?
As I was daydreaming, the Lord reminded me of a verse that really convicted me:
“I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12)
I admit- this trip has been tough. I have been in need. I have been hungry.
But, would I trade it for the convenience of America? …
Oh Uganda. The beautiful.
I reminisce about the things I will miss…
It may not be convenient and there may exhausting days.
But it is these things about Uganda that bring me joy:
- It’s hanging out of the van looking at the beautiful African stars.
- It’s rocking a baby to sleep in the back of the church.
- It’s dancing and singing with the kids at their choir practice.
- It’s passing a motorcycle with 2 bags of piglets inside oinking along the way.
- It’s hearing children yell, 'Mzungu!' (white person) while they wave to you.
- It’s waking up at 4 in the morning to a rooster right outside of your window.
- It’s taking that one little boy’s hand that has no friends and holding him.
- It’s being welcomed into homes of people you’ve never met.
- It’s fighting off the bugs so that you can use the bathroom in the hole in the ground.
So- my answer is NO.
I would not trade any of this for the convenience of America.
It was roughly 20 months ago when I was in my kitchen in America, explaining to my extremely confused mother why I wanted to go on the World Race.
I quoted Philippians 4:12.
I told her that I have never known what it was to be in need. I have never been hungry or in want. And I wanted to be in a position where I could learn the secret of being content regardless of where I was.
Do I now think that I have the secret figured out? Maybe not completely.
But I praise God for revealing to me that contentment doesn't come from things.
Or people. Or circumstances.
It doesn’t come from daydreaming
Or hot baths. Or a car. Or sushi. Or a cell phone. Or a real toilet.
But, it does come from Him.
And my prayer is that regardless of living in plenty or in want,
My contentment will remain in Him. That's my secret…
