*My heart was caught as I re-read this excerpt from a January 2007 post from our Blessings and Burdens website which is now no longer in existence. I forgot how much I truly loved serving in Indonesia. It was difficult in many ways but so is life here in our home country. I am reminded today of these things which I forgot…
…the wonderful savory scent of frying garlic and onions in the air.
…the exotic feel of the deep green jungle at our doorstep.
…the music of the birds and the river singing us to sleep and waking us in the morning.
…the delicious, spicy taste of our favorite foods.
…the welcoming arms and smiles of our neighbors.
…the coziness of our home and the beauty of my garden.
…the warm, peaceful and cleansing tropical rain reminding us of the grace of God.
…that I mostly feel at home here even when I don’t always understand. At least it is familiar.
After all the sadness and tears, of the hard work of packing and the heartache of saying goodbye, I am thankful for God’s patience with me to remind me again of all the good things I forgot.
*I ask the Lord today to help me remember that which I have forgotten about my home country. In some ways, I still don’t feel at home here three years after returning for good from Indonesia. But God’s grace never changes and His mercies are new each morning. I want to remember.
