Is "Belonging" Everything, Something, or Nothing

As I rode home today in a rickshaw with my son, my dupatta (head scarf) blowing in the wind, giving directions first in one language than a second and neither of them my first, and with the music blaring from the speakers behind me, the thought entered my mind in full force, "I don't belong here.  But where do I belong?"  
I mostly felt this way because I realized that the blaring music turned no one's head.  No one cares here about "noise pollution." There is no thought to whether others will like your loud music or not, whether it's driving down the street or at 3am at a wedding held out on your street. My noise, is your noise and visa versa. Live with it.
For me, the blaring music was embarrassing, aggravating, and annoying.  Why? Because I don't belong. My worldview is different.  My thoughts were, "Our noise is going to make everyone look in this direction and there really is no need for encouragement of others to stare at me." I just don't belong.

For me, not belonging has been part of who I am from as far back as I can remember.
First, I was a PK. "Pastor's Kids" just aren't like everyone else.  People had a different expectation and outlook on who I was suppose to be.  Let the reader not read, "who I was."
From this I went to being a TCK. Third Culture Kids end up with a culture that is cannot be defined by race, language, country of origin, nor host country.
I am a "boarding kid," attending boarding school from the age of 8.
I married into a family from the South, yet another culture.
We then became parents of an almost 12 year old just after our second wedding anniversary which makes me the mother of a college sophomore this year at 33 years old.
Belong?

But what does it mean to "belong?"  So many people are looking to figure this out, to find their place in this world.  Lives are consumed with people looking for self actualization and finding the meaning of life, pursuing whatever it means for you to be you at your full potential and for you to belong in the community which provides you the praise and security you crave. 

But is this what we were made for? 
To belong, when it is terms of the world, is only temporary. Temporarily it will leave us feeling welcomed, accepted, and free to be "ourselves" in reaching our full potential.

But again I ask, is this what we were made for?
Why did God make us?
If I ask my 9 year old he will sing to me, "To glorify God and enjoy him forever."
So, is belonging in this world why I am here?
Is feeling accepted, that I belong, and am a unique or normal individual (whichever one I crave) necessary for true "self actualization?"
How will I reach my full potential?  By being safe, well-feed, in a stable environment of love and feelings of belonging?  
Those things are good but the truth is that I was made by God, for God and through peace with God and walking in his will, I will belong; not to this world but to an everlasting kingdom.  

I don't have to fit in or standout in order to belong.  
I already belong. 
I belong to Jesus.
Belonging is EVERYTHING when it's about belonging to the Kingdom of God!
How thankful I am to be part of the Kingdom of God! 

m

What? Long Underwear Too?!?

For several months now we have been in anticipation of the renewal of our visa.
We rejoice that on Monday afternoon at 5pm it was in our hands.  This is a great relief after so many years of "wandering" from place to place we now have the "security" (nothing is secure in this nation but...) of being able to come and go without hassle for FIVE years.  Praise God!

By way of "thanks" Walt took sweets to the men in the office who had done all the work.
He also took the head man shopping to get a new a shirt and trousers.  This, too, just a gesture of, "We are thankful for your cooperation once again with renewing our visa's."
As they waited to make their purchase the man shared that he would be visiting a cold place over the Christmas holiday.  Walt told him he should take long underwear.  Well, there is was, so that was added to the pile of purchases.
Yes, my husband bought him long underwear.
What?
Yes.  Long underwear.
When was the last time you bought a government official long underwear?

I love living here.  I really love it!

m

Thomas' First Prize

T entered the Eid Card competition at school for Eid several weeks ago.
He won.

The best part is his little hand drawn picture inside the card.

Did your 7 year old ever draw a little boy with a "cute" goat and knife in hand ready to slaughter?
Mine did and I'm not concerned!
 
Some things are just different for us here.
m

Vote for Amina, Vote for Toffees

Recently at T's school they had election for head girl and head boy. Signs hung on the school walls, speeches were made and a rally was held to announce the winners.
As the election week progress I watched my son evaluate who he would vote for:
"Assif gave me one rupee.  I think I will vote for him."
"Rosie says she will give the whole school money if we vote for her."
"Amina told us we would all get a toffee if she won."

Wow!!! At seven years old the age old game of empty promises and bribery has begun. But at seven there's no hiding the truth.  The poster's themselves honestly describe the bribery to be given out if votes are cast in their support.

So, my son came home with ink on his thumb, having cast his vote for Amina.
He didn't get any toffee.
But he got to vote.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all,  

1 Timothy 2:1-6a

My vote is cast.

I choose the one who fulfilled all the promises of God.

He gets my vote, today and every day after!

Happy to be a citizen of another kingdom,

m

An Eid Story

This story is a true story from the Holy Book, the Law.

God made a promise to Abraham: "I will give you a son."
God kept his promise and gave him a son.
One day God told Abraham.
"Take the son whom you love and go to the place I will show you and sacrifice him."
Abraham obeyed.
He took his son.
He took the wood for the sacrifice.
He took fire for the sacrifice.
His son asked him, "Where is the animal for sacrifice?"
Abraham said, "God will provide."

They set off and came to the place for the sacrifice.
They built an altar.
Then Abraham took the son he loved, bound him and lay him on the altar.
As he was about to sacrifice his son a voice spoke from heaven,
"Abraham, do not harm the boy. I can see that you fear me for you did not withhold your son."
Then God provided an animal for sacrifice.
Abraham worshipped God there and call God, "God will Provide."

God, from the beginning of time has provided the sacrifice for his children.
He did this once for all when he sent Jesus as the perfect sacrifice.
Jesus was God's provision for man's sin and rebellion, to bring us to God.
God, himself is the perfect sacrifice giver.

henna design used to share the story of God's perfect provison

The streets have been lined with goats, cows decorated with garlands and orange henna, along with occasional camel, all for sale for sacrifice.  Today is the beginning of Eid.

We have joined the celebration by celebrating God's perfect sacrifice and basking in the knowledge of his grace.  No, the blood of an animal, no matter how free from flaw, will not take away man's sin, but it certainly does point to the grace bestowed on us in Christ.
The celebration is one you can't help but take part in because He has purchased for himself a people, once and for all through the shedding of his blood.  We have new life because of his shed blood.  This is cause to remember and to celebrate.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.  Isaiah 53:7
For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.  Hebrews 10:4 
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14

Take time to remember the sacrifice of Christ today.
Take time to rejoice in his victory over Satan, sin and death.
Take time to intercede on behalf of the nations and people around you who don't have the same hope.

Take time to remember.

BEHOLD THE LAMB

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,
Slain for us: and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross.

So we share in this Bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice,
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King.

The body of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
Torn for you: eat and remember
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life,
Paid the price to make us one.

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin,
Shed for you: drink and remember
He drained death's cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God.

And so with thankfulness and faith
We rise to respond: and to remember.
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth.

As we share in His suffering,
We proclaim: Christ will come again!
And we'll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King.

Keith, Getty, Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright 2007 Thankyou Music

Remembering and Rejoicing,

m

April Showers brings... May Heat?!?

It's hot but it's only going to get hotter. We haven't even hit the peak heat season yet.
We haven't started using the AC yet but I think it is almost time.  I feel like once we start the AC I won't ever go outside again.  


I took this pic of Thomas while he was asleep.  It kind of tells you how we feel... all day long!!!

It's great to serve the God who makes streams in the desert.  Who is our shade at our right hand.  Who will keep the sun from harming us by day!!! 
At least we know we are "hot" for Jesus!!! 
Enjoying a cold glass of water, 


m

Traffic Police

One of the ways I am continually reminded that I am raising children in another culture and they inadvertently are creating a new culture of their own (hence: "Third Culture Kids" TCK's) is when I watch my little guy play.  When he plays with other TCK's they visit places that kiddo's would never go, "My car is going to the Taj Mahal."  or instead of "school" like most first graders play it's, "let's ride in the airplane" and hours of an airplane journey.
The latest reminder was when Thomas lined his toys up on my kitchen counter as I prepared lunch.  They looked like this:

Then he said, "Look mom!  It's the traffic police!"  
What?  Has your kid ever called the local roaming animals in your neighborhood traffic police?  O... you don't have roaming cows, buffalo, donkeys, goats, chickens, dogs, etc?  Well, we do!!! And the traffic graciously gives way every time.  


Life is just different here.
My son sees things differently.  
Not better, not worse... just different.
I love different.
Praise God for creating different.
May Christ in me make me "different." 
Because of Christ may other's want to be different too.


Always been a little different, 
m

AM I SEEING THAT RIGHT?!?

Yes, you absolutely are!  Isn't it wonderful?!? Three men holding hands.
Every culture has it's good and it's bad.  
One of the blessed things about where we live is the freedom to just love on one another.
I love this display of acceptance, love, and honor.  Three men (two of them mine) holding hands.
Why?  Because we're friends.  Because we love and enjoy each other.  Because I value that you have come to visit my home and my people.  Why?  Because we can and no one thinks anything of it.


Praise God for the good gifts he gives.
Praise God for his perfect love.

m