Wednesday, 29 October 2008

• A Bunch of thoughts... and a plea

  I haven't written in a while. I haven't known how to put my thoughts together. But here are a few. I'll begin with the plea and work my way from there.
  It is really, really hard being the new person. I am experiencing this on all sorts of levels right now. I am the new guy at work, and though I have a lot of experience in my field, nobody really knows that... nor cares that much... because I'm just new. I still have AZ license plates, which apparantly is a foreign land... at least you would think so based on the looks I get from just about every driver that passes me by. I don't know things that one "should know" here in Iowa... like where Grimes is in comparison to... hmm... any other Iowa town?? And what high schools are where, and how people ______ around here... you fill in the blank. I am different. Growing up in the midwest I am not foreign to the thinking and mindset here, but apparantly I have changed in some ways. Funny how that works. Needless to say, I have realized that being the new person sucks - and it must be even harder for immigrants from other countries. Americans are rude. The church needs to do a better job of stepping up and welcoming new-comers - whether they are from Kenya, Afghanistan, or Arizona - say hello - ask the person's name and about their story - and be genuine. Take interest in people - invite them to hang out or offer to show them around... to the grocery store, the local coffee shop, what road leads to where, etc. If the rest of America isn't going to do so, perhaps the church can do what it is meant to, and be Jesus to the world, to the outcasts, to the "new guy". Please, I beg you...
  
  That said, it may be obvious that this transition has not been easy. It has just finally hit me in the last two days that I am here... and not leaving any time soon, not just visiting. There is really nothing going particularly wrong. Many of the things above have been tough and I guess the fact that every major thing in my life has changed in two weeks merits some value on the effect it is having on me. The thing is, in the midst of a couple hard days and a few annoying frustrations, I am so grateful. I am in such a state of thankfulness to the Lord for who He is and what He has done with me and my life. I am incredibly blessed. And I think that somehow, in the midst of all the craziness of this new season, all the struggle just to find my place here, I am glorifying the Lord... with my attitude and mentality, and by being faithful with what He has set before me. That concept has really come alive to me in the last couple of months. It is good to be faithful - God doesn't see things the way we do. That is why a person working 9-5 at McDonalds with a joyful, honest heart and hard work and integrity knowing they are right where God wants them is just as pleasing to God as the missionary ministering to people in far away lands where there are no believers, right where God wants them. Chew on that for a while.

  PS - Major Kudos to Monica for being such an amazing, faithful friend.  Your love is felt deeply.  Thank you!

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