Again, I have positioned myself in the warm sunshine. It is early afternoon on my last full day in Dehradun. I leave by car tomorrow at noon for Delhi. I will have dinner and a shower, possibly, at an old student's house who will get me to the airport in time to leave on my 3:15 a.m. flight to Amsterdam, JFK and finally Richmond . . . gaining time all the way, I am scheduled to arrive at 4:46 p.m. at RIC.
This visit to India has been such a blessing as I have visited several places and groups of people that were important for me in days gone by. Touching base with old friends, former students, and making new friends has been a delight! This a.m. at church without the GA boarders felt a little bit empty, but saying farewell to some of my new friends was special with the genuine invitation to return! I hope to do that whilst my visa is still good . . . still about three years on it. Let's see how the Lord leads.
Being in Mussoorie for Christmas was 'different'. Oh yes, I was at the same places, but they didn't hold the same 'magic' for me as they had in the past. In some ways I felt like beating myself up for not returning home sooner, but then I see this as another gift from the Father. That old say, "You can't go home," has been ringing in my ears, and though six years ago, after Mother's death, it was extra special to return to Mussoorie for Christmas, I see that my Christmas celebrations of the past should just be enjoyed in my memory! I have already started asking the Lord about where I will spend next Christmas . . . will it be VA, FL . . . someplace entirely different!? I don't know and right now, I really don't care!!!
The time in Mussoorie just enjoying the beauty of the place, and some special times with people who are in the generation below mine were my greatest joys. I see clearly how easy it would be to 'get stuck', and I desperately do not want to 'get stuck' in anything!!! In 2016, I want to continue to grow and be changed by the work of God's spirit in my life. I sense that we have begun something new and different, and I want to go on to know Him better. I see how I have been 'stuck' in Richmond, not knowing how to fit in, not really exercising my gifts, not wanting things like my church to change . . . holding on to 'the way things were'. It just isn't to be . . . I am asking the Lord to show me how to fit in, how to kick the old rejection beast to the curb, and how to claim my place in His freedom to be all that He has for me wherever I am. Yes, it is true, India reaches out and loves me, and I do so appreciate and enjoy that. But, I think the way ahead is to see that I LIVE in Richmond, and I VISIT India. Let's see what unfolds in 2016.
I am looking forward to being back in my own bed, with my own things and the relationships that I have left behind. So much of what I have drawn on for devotions with the students and others here has been from the Tues a.m. study. I think that is likely what I am most looking forward to! I think I am also ready to embrace the new SPC, something that I have definitely struggled with . . . I don't want to get stuck in a rut! Help me, Lord, because you and I both know that I can't do it without you!
This visit to India has been such a blessing as I have visited several places and groups of people that were important for me in days gone by. Touching base with old friends, former students, and making new friends has been a delight! This a.m. at church without the GA boarders felt a little bit empty, but saying farewell to some of my new friends was special with the genuine invitation to return! I hope to do that whilst my visa is still good . . . still about three years on it. Let's see how the Lord leads.
Being in Mussoorie for Christmas was 'different'. Oh yes, I was at the same places, but they didn't hold the same 'magic' for me as they had in the past. In some ways I felt like beating myself up for not returning home sooner, but then I see this as another gift from the Father. That old say, "You can't go home," has been ringing in my ears, and though six years ago, after Mother's death, it was extra special to return to Mussoorie for Christmas, I see that my Christmas celebrations of the past should just be enjoyed in my memory! I have already started asking the Lord about where I will spend next Christmas . . . will it be VA, FL . . . someplace entirely different!? I don't know and right now, I really don't care!!!
The time in Mussoorie just enjoying the beauty of the place, and some special times with people who are in the generation below mine were my greatest joys. I see clearly how easy it would be to 'get stuck', and I desperately do not want to 'get stuck' in anything!!! In 2016, I want to continue to grow and be changed by the work of God's spirit in my life. I sense that we have begun something new and different, and I want to go on to know Him better. I see how I have been 'stuck' in Richmond, not knowing how to fit in, not really exercising my gifts, not wanting things like my church to change . . . holding on to 'the way things were'. It just isn't to be . . . I am asking the Lord to show me how to fit in, how to kick the old rejection beast to the curb, and how to claim my place in His freedom to be all that He has for me wherever I am. Yes, it is true, India reaches out and loves me, and I do so appreciate and enjoy that. But, I think the way ahead is to see that I LIVE in Richmond, and I VISIT India. Let's see what unfolds in 2016.
I am looking forward to being back in my own bed, with my own things and the relationships that I have left behind. So much of what I have drawn on for devotions with the students and others here has been from the Tues a.m. study. I think that is likely what I am most looking forward to! I think I am also ready to embrace the new SPC, something that I have definitely struggled with . . . I don't want to get stuck in a rut! Help me, Lord, because you and I both know that I can't do it without you!
No comments:
Post a Comment