"I love that tree!"
Unbidden, it had entered my mind. And just as quickly as I caught my breath, it sank to my heart.
Because with that simple thought came the overwhelming realization that I was beginning to feel at home. That there was a rightness in my being here. My heart was lifted in praise to the God who is merciful. The One who knows my weakness, and yet chooses to bless me.
I've since decided the algarroba is my tree, my special reminder that I belong here.
What about you? Have you ever been surprised by the overwhelming sense that you belong right where God has you? I'd love to hear about it!
While we're on the topic of trees, click here for a super interesting post about the Bottle Tree of Paraguay!
6 comments:
Shilo - it took me 5 1/2 years to finally be 100% content to be on staff at the Bible School in Jackson. Considering leaving is what God used to bring me such a peace about being here. You see I always wanted to go there, overseas and ended up "stuck here," in the states. I can now honestly say that if Nathan and I stay here for the rest of our days, I am not only okay with that, but EXCITED.
I got to the your friend's link ok and enjoyed the pictures and learned lots. So interesting.
I am praying you'll have many more of those "happy to be here" moments. I'm afraid mine are few and far between. Ususally, my thoughts are "ok, I'm suppossed to be here and I'm going to make it work!! grunt!"
But I DO think the long we are in Japan the more frequent those wonderful moments come,often they come when I am enjoying the beautful cherry blossoms of spring. Breath taking! (Especially after a long, cold, snowy winter!)
Your posts are always so great!Bless you friend.
happy for you that you are starting to feel that way. love the way God does that!
bless you!
That IS a beautiful tree! Glad you are finding moments of 'home'...Although I haven't necessarily struggled to be here, I have still had a few moments like that...the sun rising over the eastern mountains all fiery red and orange and then all that beautiful scenery on the way down to the family camp this last weekend. I was so tired and really wanted to just lean back and close my eyes, but I couldn't because I was just taking it all in (and taking pictures!). :)
It makes me so happy that you've had this experience...and that you feel at home, like you belong. There is something so special about the feeling of belonging. God is good.
oh shilo...i love your raw and honest posts. even though i haven't traveled across the pond to a foreign land...our first move 19 hours from home {married 1 month and only 22} felt like a foreign place for so long. but just like you...i remember the day it began to feel like home. it was the first time i recognized and knew someone out in public {outside of my daily routine}...it made me so sad at first...then i realized that God was beginning to make me feel more and more comfortable in "this foreign land"...even if it did always feel temporary...which was also a reminder that our time away from home with Him in heaven is also only temporary...we are just passing through this world!
so grateful for the peace and comfort of home He is giving you...and what a beautiful tree as a reminder!!
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