I am actually sitting in my bed typing this blog. Instead of being wrapped up in my filthy, ripped, green and orange sleeping bag, a clean, white comforter is thrown over my legs. Instead of my REI travel pillow, I am propped up by a fluffy, normal-sized pillow with an actual pillowcase! I’m sipping on real coffee (Dunkin Donuts!) that was made in a coffee pot, not the instant Recoffy I’ve been drinking for the last couple of months in Africa. And…this enjoyable morning started off with a beautiful wake up call from the Lord, instead of the beeping of my Wal-mart, sports watch.
This is actually the second day in a row of consuming real filtered coffee. Yesterday afternoon, our local contacts -Lynne and Michael – brought us to a local coffee shop called Mugg & Beans. Not to be confused with Muggabeans, my favorite coffeeshop in my hometown of Milford, Iowa. A few of us ordered the bottomless cup of coffee. The contest was on. I quickly consumed three cups of piping hot FLAVORED coffee, but was easily beaten by the king of caffeine, Scott M. He eagerly threw back 5 or 6 cups before we headed back out into the winter of Africa. Yes, sweatshirts are needed!
Last night for supper, we were treated to a homemade meal of vegetable soup, salad (with 6 different salad dressing choices) and bread. It was quite reminiscent of my frequent lunch outings to Olive Garden or Panara. Supper was followed by a steaming hot shower…the first shower in over a week if you do not include the infamous “baby wipe bath”. And, this is exciting, it was the second time since I left home that I actually used conditioner. When I approached the sink, I was greeted by two much appreciated foreign object – hand soap and filtered drinking water!
A few days ago, we were whisked away from our humble abode on top of the hill in BackDoor. This hollow, water-less, electricity-less, concrete structure served us well for the past week. But I guess that God had different plans. Within a half an hour, we were transported to our oasis in Nelspruit, SA: a free house for missionaries (whom need some rest). A well for the weary. The refreshing waters started to flow as we pulled up the driveway.
We are tired. July 1st marked six months on the road. We could continue to push through and we would make it. We serve a mighty, sovereign God. Right here, in South Africa, God smiles down upon us and decides that He wants us to crawl up into his lap and rest. As Andrew Murray puts it in
The Deeper Christian Life:
Bow before God…Say to God, “Father, here am I for You to work in me as much of Christ’s likeness as I am able to receive.” Then wait to hear Him say, “My child, I give you as much of Christ as your heart is open to receive.” I am humbled by His intense love and grace. I do not deserve this.
Six months ago, I would have thought that I was entitled to all the “luxuries” mentioned in this blog. Yes, I do call filtered coffee, a hot shower and a normal sized pillow luxuries. While before the race they were just part of ordinary life, in all their simplicity and pleasure, I now consider them blessings – not entitlements. I can get by just fine without running water and electricity, like 2/3rds of the world does, but I admit that a hot shower still peaks my interest.
Now, I am not saying that things bring happiness and rest. Both can only be found in Jesus, Himself. But I am learning that rest and happiness can be found in deep appreciation for people, things, experiences that the Lord chooses to give us. Appreciation and gratefulness are key to remaining humble and in check with God’s many blessings – no matter how simple or “ordinary” they may seem.
If the Lord wants to call me into a brief season of rest, I will not complain. God is very much interested in the refreshing and restoration of our souls. The ministry of hospitality has always interested me, but now it beckons me as it directly ministers to my Spirit. Those with the gift of hospitality (not to be confused with entertainment), please embrace it! The Lord wants to use you to minister to the souls of the weary…
I lean over and set my empty coffee mug down on the wicker night stand. My heart does not understand, but humbly, it soaks up every last drop…
