And Roadkill…
So I have noticed that I do not care too much these days about what I have been eating. I mean, it’s ok if I pack on a few extra American pounds before this trip right? While explaining this to a friend of mine I said, “I mean, might as well eat up now while I can before I start living off of beans and rice.” His reply: “and whatever roadkill you find along the way…” I sat there for a second and thought, ‘What the heck am I doing? He is right, no more Velveeta Mac-n-cheese….only goat roadkill from January on.’ I’m sure it won’t be thatbad…but it did get me thinking.
Why did I sign up for this trip? What was I thinking? Leaving a clean bathroom, A/C, a big comfy queen size bed, a great job, my family, Velveeta Mac-n-cheese. I feel like the cost of this trip is extensive. Leaving all familiarity, comforts, and conveniences behind for 11 months…yikes!
So what gives? Why am I going? I don’t have to; no one is making me. I drove home from meeting with a friend, I was at a red light (in New Orleans), and while I was sitting at the light I looked under the highway and saw a man sleeping on the ground, with a white sheet over him and his shoes on. This is always so disturbing to me. It is hard for me to understand why I am not that man. What did I do to deserve a loving and healthy home life? Why was I the one blessed with great parents? I could have been that man. As I sat in the car and pondered all these different thoughts, with a full stomach, clean clothes, and Starbucks in hand, it dawned on me why I am going on this trip.
“To whom much is given much is required” –Luke 12:48
That is why I am going. My life has been blessed with so much, so much more than I deserve or could even ask for, and I am so thankful for what I have, however, I want to stop living for 100% for me. The World Race is going to give me that chance, the chance to live beyond myself, to think of others and to not take what I have for granted, as it is so easy to do.
Yes, I am scared to death to leave my fun life behind for a year; however, the time has come to give back. So, bring on January! Until then, I am going to buy some non-perishable foods to keep in my car and when I see that homeless man under the bridge at Clio St and St. Charles Ave. I’ll ask him if he wants a snack.
