You can take the girl out of Egypt, but you can’t always get Egypt out of the girl…
I am finding lately, well as of debrief, really; that I have a little Egypt left in me! It’s true, there are some things about my old, Western lifestyle that I miss even though the Lord is SO faithful to provide every single thing that I need.
Let me start at the beginning by giving you a crucial definition:
Culture shock: the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.
I used to kind of arrogantly think I was somehow immune to culture shock. I figured that I had been to enough cultures to know the ropes and know how to handle myself. I thought I could conquer the world.
The first time I realized I might not be culturally invincible is when I learned that I was detoxing FROM a culture. Not only was I faced with new ways of life and sets of attitudes; I was trying to maintain the things that had been ingrained in my brain for the past 24 years. Living in the suburbs in southeast Texas isn’t exactly the mud buildings and squatty potties I am now facing…and this is just the beginning!
So, as I stated…sometimes I still yearn for my “Egypt”. God has called me out of it for 11 months, yet I find myself desiring the “garlic and onions” of home.
The Israelites faced a similar situation and unfortunately, had a similar response as I have:
“The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
That’s me, I have been selfish. I have been a part of the rabble at times and complained and wailed. Well, I’m done! I learned a long time ago (thanks Mom!) that life is what you make it. The one thing about your situation that you can always control is your attitude. I don’t know how I forgot that, but thank the Lord for the reminder! Thank the Lord for His grace and mercy!
