From Sunday evening to Friday afternoon I’m attending a conference for folks who have worked overseas and are returning to life in North America –whether for a home assignment of a year or a longer stretch of time.
I’ve heard good reports from those who have attended this conference and would appreciate your prayers. Guess what …I am still adjusting to life in the U.S. I used to joke that I had no idea how American I was until I went to China. That’s NOT how you line up for a bus. OR That is clearly cheating. You can call it ‘helping’ all the live long day, but when whispering is involved while taking a test it is CHEATING.
I now see ways in which China has seeped more deeply into me than I’d been aware and the jokes on me :).
I love fortune cookies even though they are not Chinese. I love them because of the randomness of the message — will it be funny? profound? completely off base? Or will it be one that you simply must take a picture of?
This gem came from a dinner out with my parents:
Sorry it’s a bit blurry. But remember, you are the flexible person. Ha!
I don’t have a tattoo and if this weren’t so long, it’s the kind of not-so-subtle message I could use on my arm. At times it is easy to be flexible, isn’t it?
All zen and full of the peace of Christ and you go first … no really, you go.
But there are others when an ugly monster rises up and out of frustration at all of the shoving people in the Post Office you find yourself swatting at those around you with fleece mittens. Um, hypothetically. Just pulled that one from thin air. Not one of my finer moments.
Remember grace and peace and zombies? I need God’s grace so that I can be the flexible one and thus peaceful in my interactions. But I also need this reminder, an act of grace, really. This prophetic word that I AM the flexible one. You ARE the flexible one.
Not a suggestion with plenty of loopholes. I’m the flexible one unless I’m in a hurry or have health problems or my kids are annoying. We aren’t made to be robots, having inauthentic reactions to situations. If your kids are annoying, it’s OK to be annoyed but can you (can I) aim for being a bit more flexible whatever our “present situation” may be?
I love that true wisdom can come in many forms, don’t you? Thanks for praying for me this week as this adjustment process continues.
Amy
P.S. I’ve checked into the place and I have my own room!!! (This is exclamation point worthy! As a single who is used to being assigned with random people I don’t know at events like this, I am thrilled. Rejoice with me!)
I am glad you have your own room. I wish I could attend the workshop. I miss your teachings and friendship. It is easy to be flexible when you are not under stress but that is when it is the most important because Christ shines through us.
Hey Soundra, it would be fun to have you here too! I’m not teaching :) … but some of the subjects we’re going to look at I have taught on. It’ll be good to hear other people’s illustrations and add some more tools to my tool box.
I LOVED your last comment . I too, am single and get put with all sorts of people. But, a hilarious story from a conference long ago. I was about 30ish and going to a singles conference of a large, well known evangelical church several hundred miles from me. I registered. Somewhere in the registration process, something went kerflooey. My first name, Stephanie, was entered without the last 2 letters, so it became “Stephan.” I had paid for my own room, so I was surprised when the registration person asked about my roommate, named Kris. I told her that I was to have gotten a room of my own and she basically apologized and said, “too bad – it’s all full and no one can change.” Night came and there was no roommate. I went to bed with a little hesitation, knowing someone could be there when I woke up.
With my nametag fixed with a Sharpie, I was on my way to lunch the next day when someone yells out , “Hey, I’m your roommate!” Yup, it’s Kris – only Kris is male. After a bit of conversation I find out that Kris and Mike wanted to be together and Mike ended up with a room of his own, so it was all fine, but imagine my possible shock when I woke up that first morning…. :)
Hahahaha :) Stephan … ie! That’s pretty funny. Glad it all worked out!
you make me smile. I remember the post office. Been there. Done that. Um, hypothetically speaking. And when the monster rose up in me just yesterday because I was making mooncakes and the Chinese always come too early! and things just weren’t going my way. And I was biting my tongue, when out of nowhere, someone came up and asked me about belief in God and could they go to church with us and I, stunned, realized (again) that God is always moving in Grace and sometimes there is a battle and I get caught in the crossfire. That agitation and frustration and anger is a reaction to the battle going on, unseen, around me. I am unaware but God is about to do something big.
And you make me smile! Seems folks show up early when we are in need most of “a few more minutes!” So thankful you bit your tongue and got to see some light shining into darkness :). That makes it all worth it, doesn’t it?!
My longing in this present situation is to be kind, patient and flexible. None of these are my character strengths and yet, in this present situation, it is imperative I develop them. The person I love most (after self) is failing before my eyes. He deserves and needs for me to be, above all else, kind, patient and flexible.
Susan, sounds like you and Your Person are facing a challenging season. As I type this, I’m asking for kindness, patience and flexibility for you!
Thank you, Amy! I just finished grace, peace & zombies. Very helpful. Especially appreciated how much I need grace from God so that peace might reign in this challenging season. I want it so much; my dear one deserves it so much. I have learned more about God’s grace from this dear one more than I could have ever experienced elsewhere.
I’m rejoicing with and praying for you. I still drink hot water and feel displaced at times, but I know a place, where I’m going, that’s the perfect combination of what I need. …and who, too. …welcome to here
Amos, well, today was one of those swatting at the rudely staring children whose parents should have told them it is rude to stare but they were too busy staring too…sigh!! I could feel myself going there and wanted to respond correctly, but alas, the human side won out. I left all kinds of frustrated and angry. Thanks for the reminder! Definitely praying for your time!
Praying for your week now – how awesome! Everyone there will be blessed by your wisdom, humor, transparency and love. I know I have been! And your own room – yippee! ^_^
Love that fortune cookie advice! Enjoy your week, encouraging and being encouraged by the people around you. Sounds wonderful. :)