When first trying to adjust to living here, I was going crazy because my days weren’t packed full of activity from dawn to midnight like at home. I just felt bored and, quite frankly, lazy most of the time. But I was missing a valuable lesson this culture was offering. Let me share some of my experiences to explain farther:
Guatemalans are not too busy to stop to assist someone or have a conversation, because they value relationships more than timeframes or deadlines. They are not afraid to cancel school for the fair in town( yes, you read that right.) because they recognize the gift of today and the choice to celebrate it.
We attended a funeral that was from 9pm to midnight, and as we were heading there, the thought occurred to me that there was a good chance of a small attendance because it was so late at night, but as we arrived the funeral home was packed! I was in awe! In America that would never happen, we would make excuses of “we have work the next morning “or “I have kids that need to be put to bed”. Basically how it’s an inconvenience to us. Yes the people who attended that midnight funeral were inconvenienced in all those ways and more but they choose to walk in selfless love instead. They went and supported the grieving family.
I’m learning to be mindful and intentional with every hour. Not for the sake of efficiency but because the most valuable things in life usually aren’t things that can be scheduled in. Don’t be afraid to wander off your stitched-tight schedule, to follow the Lord’s prompting. Or just not scheduling your day so full, leave room for yourself to breathe and The Lord to lead.
T•H•A•N•K Y•O•U G•U•A•T•E•M•A•L•A
