While settling in to our new home, we have found so much joy…other times we have been frustrated to the point of screaming (when I say “us”, I mean ME). It’s amazing how the smallest details of daily life can bring you to that point.
One petty example is our washing machine that has not been working since we bought it almost 4 weeks ago. In the scheme of things, this sounds spoiled to even complain about. Geese, I mean some people don’t even have that luxury as an option, which I am fully aware of. And yet, I still boil with frustration because I know that I am in desperate need to wash my baby’s cloth diapers.
I don’t want to go down this path of petty complaints and annoyances. Rather, I have rediscovered a lesson that I learned a few years back when living in Papua New Guinea.
In the midst of these situations, I find myself wandering to a distant land which I once called home and think, hmmm…”life was so much easier in Cali. When things were broken, they got fixed. This stuff was so much cheaper in Cali…” Blablablah.
As soon as I step away from myself and clear the dreamy blur effect (like Ralphie on A Christmas Story), I am able to remember reality. Life wasn’t easier in Cali. We faced many struggles which may have looked different, but they were REAL.
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| My Day Dreaming Face |
I think living abroad, in particular a developing nation such as Tanzania, it is sometimes easy to glamorize our lifestyles we’ve grown comfortable with. Living in a different culture definitely has it’s challenges, but I am praying that God will teach me how to see this place, this way of living, this culture as the norm. The truth is, not a single country is perfect. We all have our problems, a failures, our blindspots. But if we seek God in the midst of these frustrations and challenges, we can discover a hidden beauty that allows us to trust Him and see Him in all countries, cultures, and people groups. I’m certainly not perfect and in much need of grace and love.
Lord, lead me to be patient and to trust you in the mundane, the daily frustrations I face. And help me to see your face and your hands guiding me to extend the same to those around me.
