I am still adjusting to life here in Mississippi. We've been here since Katrina, a little more than five (5) years now. I remain feeling like a fish out of water, spawn out in the middle of a desert. I am becoming accustomed, somewhat, to things, but it's hard. Really hard. Mindsets, concepts, philosophies, and ways of doing things are at times impalpable for me. Very difficult to swallow. Almost impossible at times to digest.
I believe that people we deal with also forget that we are NOT natives of this land. Whereas many things are customs and traditions for them, it is all still quite new to us. And it's not that we're slow learners, but it really is that we're shedding a whole lifetime basically of who we were to adjust to who we've had to become since the hurricane. How do you shed a lifetime?
We still hold on to our own customs, traditions, and definitely our culture. We try to drop it so that we can fit in here, but it's not easy. Again, it's like a fish out of water.
I am thankful and happy for my new life although it is somewhere I never thought I would be living. Particularly, settling down and living out the rest of my life. It's just that I wonder when will I ever feel that I have arrived home?
Carla
I believe that we all have a time in our life when we must be like Abraham . . . the Lord moves us into a whole new area of our lives. This is an opportunity for us to have faith in Jesus - placing Jesus first before all things. It is when we submit to this that we will find the joy, peace and happiness in where we are.
ReplyDeleteI think about your situation as that of Abraham when the Lord moved him away from his family, God needed to see Abraham's faithfulness to Him and during this time God blessed Abraham. Abraham was rich beyond our imagination, if he was here now - I believe he would have been the richest man alive, yet his faithfulness to the Lord is what brought the blessings.
My sister see yourself like Abraham, learn what you need to learn in this season of your life and watch teh Lord move things in you that you even stand back and go WOW...one thing that I do know I have seen such growth in your walk since you left New Orleans. I know it was your home for many years, but God has truly grown you spiritually - just read your writings from before and now...there is a spiritual growth in them. . . I wonder if that would have happened if you would have stayed there...
Just some food for thought - look at your life and Abraham's changes - hummm your blessing may not be a child but it can be your biggest heart's desire....bless the Lord - It is coming my sister - I see it and I know it and I believe it. Believe it sis and know that it is yours!!
God bless and love ya!!
Wow, I'm blown away by your words and insight. Thank you and I receive this. I do actually think of Abraham often. It amazes me how strong and faithful he was. When God told him to go....to leave...he didn't even tell him where he would be going. But Abraham obeyed in faith. I am indeed striving to be obedient, but not only that, to rest assured. You'll see me "whine" about it when things begin to happen and I don't understand. Then, of course, I do begin to miss my family and life as I knew it pre-Katrina. I have no family of my own where I am now. I can't just go at someone's house, or they drop by here. I don't get to see them at church anymore, or go places with them. I miss them. And it's times like now that I feel really alone. Not lonely, but alone. Yet, I know better.
ReplyDeleteYet . . . when you feel like that - think of Abraham and what God did just from his obiedence, He had to get Abraham away from his family to do the work in him that He needed to do in him. . . look at yourself in that same manner when you are faced with that and see the things that He is doing in your life . . . I see the prosperity He is giving you already and prosperity does not just come in the form of finances - and that He will not do that, but there are some greater prosperity that He has for you my sister . . . I truly understand what you are saying and I pray that I do not have to experience it in the same manner, but know that for those that do . . .they come out of it better in Jesus...He is moving you - not you that is for sure . . . keep this in mind when things appear to be going rough and always be totally honest with yourself and God. . . I think this blog will do you and others a lot of good...keep moving forward my sister!! Love ya!!
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