Back to Reality

You hear the phrase "back to reality" or "back to the real world" after coming in from a much needed vacation or a time way from your normal way of life. As I was falling in bed around 1:30 am Sunday morning and then preparing that night to be at early duty Monday morning, I was thinking myself, "well, back to reality." As I did so, a little bit of conviction settled over my heart as I thought back to those faces and sights I'd seen the week before.

The reality that these sweet first graders count it a privilege to go to school, if their parents can pay the $1.25 a month for their tuition, walking there daily. If it rains, they can't go because their school is made of palm branch roofs and dirt floors. Some walk for an hour to attend school, where there are no computers, smart boards, manipulatives, lunches, playgrounds, bathrooms, water fountains, personal desks, centers, dry erase boards or libraries. Yet, they are attentive, respectful, and very disciplined and receive love from their teachers and principal.

The reality of this sweet little one, always smiling and singing "Alleluia!" and "Amen" when we'd sing "If you're happy and you know it, say amen!" The reality that she sees no race, ethnicity, or color but loves whole-heartedly whomever she meets.

The reality that this home is a shelter for 8 and is about the size of what we'd park our car in, but wouldn't be able to open the doors.

The reality that this father - as he bathes his baby, and who will live in that house - was so overcome with emotion over the fact that God would give him and his family the blessing of this home, that he could not even work one day. He was humbly overwhelmed with the grace and provision of the LORD.

The reality that this little one finally has access to pure water- water that is LIFE to them- but for now she must walk to the well to gather the water for her family to drink and cook with.

The reality that this is the kitchen of this dear, precious saint, and that everyday we were working, she and her friends graciously cooked for 3 hours to provide a hot meal for us. The reality that rice and beans are pretty much all they have to eat, even as delicious as it was, and that if they have that one meal a day, they count it as a blessing.

The reality that this is a home to many, and if it rains, they get wet; when it's night, it's completely dark; if they have to use the restroom, they have to walk outside to do so; it is probably one room, the floors are dirt, and if they have a mattress to sleep on, they count it a blessing.

No couches, TV's, tables, chairs, china cabinets, china, dressers, closets, mirrors, running water, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, stoves.

The reality for this sweet 13 year old is that she is the one to take care of her siblings, balancing the role of sister, playmate and now "parent."

As I "come back to my reality" of a job, home, food, water and so much more, I can't help but feel humbled by this past week. From these realities, I have learned what true contentment looks like- what hope can look like in what appears to be hopeless situations. The reality is, that much of the world lives like this, yet we get so caught up on our "own little worlds," and never give thought to not just the blessings that we may have, but the ONE that gave those blessings. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it all and process the week, let alone figure out what I'm supposed to do with it now.

One main point in a devotion one night that Tim shared with us, and that we forget, is that no matter the material need, the fact that some have nothing, some have everything, some have an abundance of wealth, food, cars- some live on the streets, some are the rich and famous, but ALL OF US NEED JESUS. And that is REALITY.

"God, I pray I'd never take for granted my need for You, and I'd always see it as a need to share with others."