The heat. It never fails, and people never fail to talk about it. It's a constant clammer of continuous amateur meteorology; from the TV screens to the moment they step out the door. Part of me wants to lash out, "Do you people ever stop whining about the sun? It won't just go away. So head on back into your conveniently conditioned thermos." But that would just show how much the heat has gotten to my head. The swift change in seasons has rocked my boat a bit more than usual this time. I do believe I left both my voice and my common sense on that jumbo jet when we landed.
The Stoplights. I can't help but feel awkward every time I come to a stop at a red light. Is it the incredulous organization of the road I'm driving down? Or maybe the absence of bustling crowds claiming the intersection for themselves? Either way, I do pray that I am able to overcome the strange uneasiness as I wait for the red to flash green. Besides, the soccer mom to my right who is busy texting, sipping her Sonic, and scolding the kids does not seem to mind.
The Food. Enough said, about that.
Church services. Traditions, vaguely familiar to me, but so deeply engrained in the practices of Christ's bride here in the U.S. They get under my skin. (see Isaiah 1:10-23) Except now I need to figure out how to look beyond them, and into the heart of His body, not the jewelry and perfume she adorns herself with. Because I can't turn my back on her. I am here to stay, and that means diving into the Church whole-heartedly, abandoning all self-righteous cultural barriers I potentially have built towards it through the years. I pray that Christ will help me resolve to hold nothing back from His bride and body as I prepare to seek out a church in Shawnee.
Some though are very new to me. Due to the fact that I am now seeing her through the eyes of an independent person trying to figure out how make adult decisions, and no longer through the eyes of a little girl leaning on her parents, I have remarked new aspects America holds.
Prices. Now that I am starting to exercise my consumer taste, I have discovered that it is actually quite difficult for one to be picky when it comes to purchasing. I had my mind so set on planning to boycott Walmart and seek out alternative more "friendly" options, that I failed to consider the most certainly considerable price difference that exists among suppliers. Things are not as cheap as I had imagined. And I am only beginning to understand the complexity of personal finance management. Two vital virtues are required: persistence and patience. Both which are, let's just say, qualities I don't feel I was naturally endowed with. Thankfully, "We can rejoice too, when we run into....[shop-aholic temptations]..., for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation" (Romans 5:3-5)
Expectations. This time they feel weightier. It's at the same time an intimidating challenge and an exciting honor, that those you care about could raise the standard so high for you.
It's easy to fall into fear in the midst of all this rapid change and shock. The enemy wants me to truly believe I'm on my own in this. But that is a lie as bigger than the oceans I crossed to get here.
If I go up to the mountains, He is there.
If I make my bed in the depths, He is there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
Or if I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there His hands will guide me,
His right hand will hold me fast.
Where can we go from His presence? (Ps. 139)
...nowhere.
For He is with us even to the end of the age...
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