Why do we get so caught up in the way we do things and think that our way is the right way and other ways are strange, perhaps even wrong? Maybe you have never thought this way before or maybe it's that for the first time I am experiencing cultural overload. As an American living in Serbia now, I'm learning to adapt to a variety of new things. I'm realizing that just because something is not familiar to me it's not wrong...it's just different. So, here are a few things that are different in Serbia:
* electrical wall outlets
* thinner mattresses and beds lower to the floor
* smaller appliances, ie. refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers
* dryers are not necessities
* cars are not necessities
* toilets (I won't try to explain now)
* it takes less words to make a sentence in serbian than english
* limited selection in choices
* cooking from scratch is the norm
* no restaurant chains or Wal-mart
And I suppose the number one unfamiliar thing would be that I'm surrounded by people speaking a language that I don't understand. For the first time, I am a foreigner.
What is it about the unfamiliar that is so uncomfortable? In the past 3 weeks I have been bombarded with things that are different, unfamiliar and out of my comfort zone. It's only natural to desire to find that safe place...to be surrounded by the comfortable and familiar.
Psalm 119:76 says, "May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant." God's desire is for us to find comfort in Him. When things around us are unfamiliar and uncomfortable, He is the familiar one who will be our comfort. You don't have to live in a foreign country to experience His presence. He's there for all who call upon Him in their time of need.
As things that are unfamiliar to me become more familiar in time, I will remember it is God alone who is the source of my strength, joy and comfort.
* electrical wall outlets
* thinner mattresses and beds lower to the floor
* smaller appliances, ie. refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers
* dryers are not necessities
* cars are not necessities
* toilets (I won't try to explain now)
* it takes less words to make a sentence in serbian than english
* limited selection in choices
* cooking from scratch is the norm
* no restaurant chains or Wal-mart
And I suppose the number one unfamiliar thing would be that I'm surrounded by people speaking a language that I don't understand. For the first time, I am a foreigner.
What is it about the unfamiliar that is so uncomfortable? In the past 3 weeks I have been bombarded with things that are different, unfamiliar and out of my comfort zone. It's only natural to desire to find that safe place...to be surrounded by the comfortable and familiar.
Psalm 119:76 says, "May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant." God's desire is for us to find comfort in Him. When things around us are unfamiliar and uncomfortable, He is the familiar one who will be our comfort. You don't have to live in a foreign country to experience His presence. He's there for all who call upon Him in their time of need.
As things that are unfamiliar to me become more familiar in time, I will remember it is God alone who is the source of my strength, joy and comfort.
Hey Mike and Pam...Hope you are well! We can agree with everything being "different" and not knowing the language around us. Praying for you! -CJ and Rachel
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be so awesome to look back on these posts and feelings and see where God has brought you. I give it a couple of months before you're running all over that city, talking, shopping, and lovin on everybody.
ReplyDeletebuuuuuuut you could always move back here and I'd be OK with that too. :)