i am now ending my first week of re-entering into America and American culture. i will definitely not say that i am thriving, but i am surviving.
the shift is hard, i’m not gonna lie. but i am also aware that it isn’t only hard for me. it’s hard for those who are receiving me.
how do we act around her?
what does she need?
what does she mean she doesn’t know what she needs?
am i asking too many questions?
maybe i should leave her alone.
i don’t want to bombard her with questions.
is she okay being alone?
these are all thoughts that have probably come to mind with anyone who is dealing with or has dealt with someone in the midst of transitioning from the mission field.
they are all valid. absolutely, completely, 100% valid.
and the answers will change and shift from every individual who is transitioning.
but i wanted to let some of my trusty followers and supporters in on where i’m at and what i might be needing in this time.
it has been a year full of amazing, impactful, painful, life-changing moments, months, people, and experiences. for me, but also for you. i understand that. and i want to hear about your year! i want to know where your life is now too!
but with that, i want you to ask about my life.
think about trying to recap your entire last year when someone asks you “so, how was it?” your automatic thought is, “well…where do i start?”
that’s exactly how my mind is too when people ask about my year. i was in 11 different countries, with 11 different cultures, 11 different languages, a multitude of foods, and million times more experiences. how do i share that with a question like “how was it?”
i want the questions! bring em on. i don’t want people to think that they’re being a burden by asking questions. even if i’ve been asked the same questions day after day, the stories and experiences that come to my mind could very well change, but i also don’t mind sharing the same stories over and over again.
the things that Jesus did this past year are worth sharing time and time again.
even a simple question could spark a story that i hadn’t thought about in months.
let’s talk about what Jesus did.
let’s talk about the changes that happened in me, in my heart.
let’s talk about what i learned about the Kingdom of God.
let’s talk about having a global mindset and what that looks like.
let’s talk about the American church and how perspective has changed.
let’s talk about my missions and the things i loved about ministry.
let’s talk about the hard things!!! we love talking about the hard things on the World Race.
what challenged me this year?
what was super hard to deal with?
let’s talk about spiritual oppression and spiritual warfare – both that i experienced and what i saw in other cultures.
let’s talk about how i heard God, what i learned from Him, what i learned about Him.
let’s talk about the people that i loved and cherished in each country. i love talking about the people i met and now love with my heart.
let’s talk about the community that i lived in. what was hard about it? what was so good about it?
bottom line: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT.
you don’t know what to talk about? ask simple questions that will get into deeper conversations. i want to talk about these things. but i also don’t want to burden people with hearing about things that they don’t care about hearing about.
you get me?
and don’t forget, as much as i want to talk about MY last year, i want so deeply to ask you the same questions about YOUR year! i have learned the art of intentional question asking and the beautiful conversations it stirs up.
let’s ask each other intentional questions and get to the bottom of each other’s last year of life. let’s do it because we want to and because we love each other, not because we have to or it’s an obligation.
i love each of you and am coming into this season with lots of patience and grace with myself, and with those who are receiving me. grace upon grace. love upon love.
can’t wait to be sharing stories together <3
xoxo,
margaret rose
