Pausing today to reflect on the many gifts we been given...
While I was in Africa I was overwhelmed with the first bold impression of Lack. Children half-dressed and dirty scattered like trash in the streets, blocks of unfinished buildings, peddlers shouting for "mzungu money" with dehydrated babies wrapped around their back, understaffed medical clinics filled to overflowing with sick patients, stagnant water where cows graze used for drinking water...
Setting down the sweet wine of the United States to see and be part of a world with so little was sobering.
I realized how much I had taken for granted.
It is so easy to live life here in the US in the fast-lane, isn't it? Wake up, shower, eat breakfast, read the paper, work, eat, work, drive home, go to the gym, eat, watch TV, go to sleep, repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Habitual expectation. We rarely pause to take a good look at this life we are living.
In Uganda, in spite of a backdrop of lack, the people live life more grateful and thankful than a culture overflowing with much. The small things- a new shirt, a shelter, one dollar, health, clean rain water- bring forth unexpected thanksgiving.
Today we have the opportunity to pause, take a good look at this life and realize the gifts we have been given.
May your day be filled with thanksgiving...
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23
Brittany
I hope you had a beautiful day yesterday Britt. I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Africa too for a couple of years in Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa. I love Africa...it holds a special place in my heart and I so want to return some day. I would love to travel the whole continent.
Lovely reminder of being thankful and also perhaps to give unto others.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I noticed with the people of Africa, (she has visited Egypt,Morocco and Tunisia. No matter what they smile. The little children come running up for Biro's. Something we take for granted.
Lovely post.
Hope your Thanksgiving is just wonderful.
:o)
Hey Britt,
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Tehucan Mexico, we came across a community of about a thousand people literally living in the dirt. The one thing that stood out the most about the whole picture, was the smiles and laughter that radiated off the kids as they played soccer, barefoot on the gravel field.
It was as if their poverty didn't exsist. For a moment it seemed like they were the ones with the good fortune!
So true that the people who seem to have nothing seem the most liberated. I left Africa feeling that we in the west are the ones lacking and I believe it. They have family and that is pretty much all. However, that is what is most important. Connections.
ReplyDeleteIt is in our connections where we feel the Divine the most I believe.
Brit, You are right! That's the first thing I noticed when I came back from England. It's all we almost know how to do in America, be in a hurry. In a way it keeps us from thinkin about the most important things in life. Eachother, and this amazing playground we call earth. But I got some good news... things are about to change.
ReplyDeleteHi Miss Britt, Hope you had a wonderful Christmas...I miss your bloggin... God bless you and your awesome family.. Mrs. D1
ReplyDelete