Getting "Unblocked"

 Roadblock.  Find an alternative route. 

Artery block. Get a stent. 

Drain block.  Try Drano.  Dig out the hair.  If all else fails, call a plumber. 

Writer's block.  Pray.  Ask God for inspiration.  And simply try again. 

I've been praying.  Let's see...

Thirteen years of overseas work have clicked by.  Leaving us behind on all the modern lingo in our country.  Our young adult say phrases that we have no idea what they mean.  We don't know how to use our credit cards: where to tap, which way to insert.  It is quite embarrassing. Things keep developing, while we are away, and we are left behind.  Simple things, small things, but it is always a bit of an awakening to the reality that life changes in countries. 

Recently, I was driving through the town where we resided prior to moving to Indonesia and then later Lebanon.  The question went through my mind, "Ruth what if you still lived here and had never left?"

I thought about still living there.  Just over the Tennessee line, into Georgia. With all the modern convenances.  All the familiar stores.  The same church.  Many of the same people (some gems for sure). Not much changing. Compared to the layers and layer of richness, culture, experiences, and stories that moving overseas has gifted us.  Undeniably, there was no comparison. 

It was quite a dramatic contrast, because many days the grass seems greener "home" in the good old USA.  Where google maps will warn you if there is a roadblock, and the state of the art in medicine is available for placing stents, and drain products are conveniently for sale at most supermarkets. 

A little while back, I was reminded that Jesus promises if any of us leave our family, for His sake, that we will receive a hundredfold in this present age (along with persecutions and eternal life). I was curious if after 13 years I had received "100 fold".  So, I pulled out my journal and in 20 minutes had jotted down over a hundred names of very special people we have come to know over our course of overseas living.  Emphatically they will never replace our real "mothers and fathers", but many of them are like brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and even children.  It was fun to see the Word flesh out into reality.  Just this morning, on my walk the tallest-darkest-skinned young man shouted out to me, "Hello Mom".  That is what he always calls me, it is quite endearing. One of my "newest" sons. 

Often, I take for granted these relationships.  Assuming these precious people will live for many years and that our paths will cross again.  How fragile life can be. We were abruptly reminded of this when our dear former neighbor and co-worker, Gary Roberts, died in less than one month from a diagnosed brain tumor. And as I mourn, I recognize that Gary, his wife Wendy and daughter Cherise, were more than neighbors and co-workers.  They were indeed, "family".  Given to us, as promised, by God. 

Let's face it, one does not have to move overseas to discover that life has a way of pushing you into situations where you feel like you are up against a roadblock.  This can lead to questioning God, our callings, even the intentions of our own heart and the relationships between God and others.  A heart artery block.  We need "family" to come alongside us and help us out of these predicaments (Draino to the rescue, but I would rather call it "familyo"). 

It can be tempting to try a little harder, or will ourselves to do better, or try to fix it ourselves.  Lysa Terkurst, in a YouTube video titled, "Resetting your heart", so inspiringly said, "Attach our hope to outcome of our own making that will equal being disillusioned to what God is or is not doing". Have mercy. 

May we recognize in whatever season we are in, the precious people around us, both far and near.  And celebrate the "family" that God has gifted to us. How we need each other.  To speak a word of hope, encouragement, cheer, and family. 

Writing again. 

Ruth