Thanksgiving-A Reflection on Africa
(Written on Friday, November 19, 2010)
It’s been an up and down week for me. The first part of the week did not start out so well. Some unmentionable circumstances have really put us in a bit of a bind, and I had some moments of weakness and panic. And then, a few days later, something special happened. I was reminded of Peter when he walked on water to Jesus. The moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the waves, he began to sink. Well, the moment I began to take my eyes off of my circumstances, and placed them instead on God, I immediately began to feel a sense of peace and calm wash over me. God’s goodness, His perfect-ness, everything that He is, made whatever my problems were before fade to dust. I mean, they’re still there, but how could I think about them when I was so wrapped up in how amazing my Father is? SERIOUSLY! God’s goodness is so much more powerful, energizing, FULFILLING, than any problem I’ve ever encountered in my life! And yet, when I take my eyes off Him and focus on the issues at hand, I so easily forget that. So, this morning, as I was thinking about this shift in thinking this week, my thoughts drifted to the two children we sponsor through World Vision, one of whom I met in person this summer.
Asiimwe.
Nomonde.
My struggles, my circumstances pale in comparison. They would laugh at what I call a problem, stress, a concern. I’ve seen Nomonde’s living conditions personally, and how easily I’ve forgotten what life is like for her. I’ve taken my eyes off of what is truly important, God, and placed them on material idols. I know this is the weekend before Thanksgiving, and it sounds so cliche to say I’m thankful for blah, blah, blah. However, it is good to visit regularly the practice of giving thanks. Instead of being thankful for material things this year, I think I will focus on more important matters. I’m thankful for a wonderful family who loves me. I’m thankful for the tremendous friendships I’ve developed over the years. And I’m thankful for the opportunity to show God’s love to two young girls in Africa through World Vision. I’m thankful for the opportunity to not only help them out, but that I got to visit Nomonde, I got to spend time with her, hug her, tell her I love her, and see firsthand how happy she is despite having very little. I’m thankful that while I thought I was doing so much for these two children, I was being taught so many wondeful things. I’m thankful I was able to take my eyes off of circumstances this week, and place them back where they belong……………on the love of my life, Jesus Christ.