I'm starting to work on a book of my blog. Not to try to sell or anything (though if you'd like a copy, let me know :) just to have. In the past few days I've been copying the text to my hard drive so I can work on it in my sans-internet apartment. So I've been skimming over the past 4 years of my life as I've copied this text. It's been an eventful 4 years! The book will actually begin with the updates I sent at the beginning of my time in Thailand. before the blog.
Lately I've been a little frustrated with my life. Anytime I think of the word "frustrated" in regards to myself, I remember something one of the YWAM teachers said, "Frustration is evidence of clinging to rights." So I take a look at just what rights I'm holding onto so dearly that I cannot cope with life as it is. After skimming over my life in Thailand... I realize the right I'm clinging to is adventure. I'm now living what could be seen as a mundane life. And I guess I fear that others see it that way (which would be evidence of pride, I know). The answer to the question of "What do you do" used to be "I'm a graphic designer in Thailand." Which often provoked a "Really?!" and further interest. Now it's "I'm a nanny for my niece and nephew and cashier at a natural foods store." Response is usually something like "oh, ok." Is one more noble than the other? Is one less of a place of service than the other? (I've always placed high value on whatever I do allowing me to be a servant). Or is my perception just skewed. Sure, I used to live in a foreign country, help run a restaurant and produce conferences for foreign workers. But NOW I take care of babies who are especially precious to me because they are family, I'm learning a ton about natural foods and supplements (and becoming more healthy because of it, I think) and I'm part of an amazing church. Did I mention I have an awesome roommate, oh, and my amazing loft apartment, complete with the best cat in the world?? I couldn't have written this story so well if I tried.
I've often looked back on my life and been thankful for moving frequently when growing up. I believe it made me a rather adaptable person. In a way, I enjoy change and crave it. When the newness of a place wears off, I tend to look for somewhere else to go. But I realize that sometimes that's not what I need. Because God brings about the "new" wherever I am. Things are always changing. If they aren't, something's wrong.
so I return to something that the late missionary Jim Elliot once said (something to the effect of...)
"Accept this moment with both hands open. Wherever you are, be all there."
Comments (1)
I love that quote from Jim Elliot. "Wherever you are, be all there." Wow.
Thank you for your updates Rachel. I always love learning about what is happening in your life. That is so neat that you are working in a natural foods store! Do you mostly eat organic? I don't know if you have already read it, but there is a great book called "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. It is about her family's commitment to eat only foods that they themselves grew or those grown locally for one year. It provides lots of interesting (and slightly scary) details about the food industry.