Serene Recklessness

The following was written throughout the day on Sunday as I had time between things:

Today I woke up early and sat on the roof as I watched the sun rise over Popocatepetl and enjoyed the cold stillness until the Zaragoza's 2 St. Bernards pushed their noses into my space, effectively getting slobber and dirt on my clothes.  Both dogs eventually settled down enough for me to finish my morning reading and then I went down to the Zaragozas' house for cereal before my friends drove me to the airport.

This past week and a half have been intense and amazing.  For me, the hardest part about mission trips to Mexico with Fishers of Men has been leaving. Even though I know that when it is God's will I will see them all again, I never know when that will be.  In this aspect, this trip is not different.  Leaving was the hardest thing that I had to do during the entire duration.

But this trip is different in that I am experiencing more peace.  Without me telling the new people working with me on this E.M.M.C. that I would be back or that doing medical missions south of the border was my call from God, they were all asking me when I was coming back.  They would tell me that they were looking forward to working with me again.  I do not understand God.  I do not know how his timing will look on this earth, but I know that it will be perfect.  I do not know why God is calling me to serve in Mexico.  There are parts of my life in the U.S. that I do not want to give up, but I know and trust that God will show me how to do so.  It may look reckless or crazy, but in my soul, I can feel God's serenity.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:3

Living in Reckless Abandonment for Jesucristo,

Jo

Forgetting

A few months ago, I made a decision to make a trip to Mexico this summer.  If you want to read about that decision, click here.  When I made the decision to follow God and head to Mexico, I knew that I was going struggle to be able to pay for my week and a half trip from my own budget.  I also knew that it was God who was leading me there this summer, and that God would provide.  I knew that in my heart.

But even though I have seen him provide many times, I was still nervous.  I talked to a few people about how excited I was to do this, which I would have done even if I hadn't been worried about funds.  Now, a few days before I fly out, I am seeing God at work.  I am seeing him provide through people who love me, the church.  I am amazed and in awe about God's provision.  Despite the fact that I have seen Him provide countless times before, I am still surprised.  I am glad that I am in awe of God.  I am disappointed in myself, that I am just as forgetful as the Israelites, walking through the desert to the Promised Land.  I knew that God would somehow provide, but yet I am still surprised.

Today, I attended a church service where the Bible reference for the sermon was Psalm 23.  I was reminded of God's infallible provision and humbled in my lack of trust and my ability to forget every other time that God has provided for me and for those I care about.

After the service, I was surrounded by people who prayed for me and for safe travels in the next couple of weeks.  They also prayed that God would work through me while I am there.  I know that a lot of these same people will continue praying for me while I am there.  God is working through these people already.  These people are reminding me how mighty God is.  These people are showing me how infallible and ceaseless the grace and mercy that God gives is.  These people are showing me God's love.

It is illogical, and it is awesome.

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Deuteronomy 4:9

Living in Reckless Abandonment for Jesucristo,

Jo

Sidenote:  As I cannot guarantee internet access or time to write a blog for the next two weeks, any of my adventure stories from Mexico may have to wait until I have both of those things in conjunction.

Comfort

I asked someone what to blog about and they told me to blog about tea.  I then decided to research the history of tea, as I felt that it would probably be an interesting topic.

I found that we really don't know how tea was invented, but one of the common legends is that some herbs or leaves blew into a pot of water accidentally.  Honestly, I did not think that the origins of tea were the most interesting part.  The development of brewing tea as a ritual was fascinating.  You see, tea drinking became a similar to religious ceremonies.  When someone drank tea it was to be a quiet and peaceful drink.  It was a drink to have when you wanted to be in a meditative sort of mood.  There was a specific way to brew tea and a specific place where you were to drink the tea.

This concept is quite fascinating for me.  I love a good cup of hot tea when I am up late studying.  Holding a mug of tea can warm your hands.  It's also a nice drink to curl up with when you want to spend a cold day reading.  But while I was reading about the history of tea, I began to think about what people use to calm them down in modern society.  Some of us go to food to handle stress.  This is why we have the term "comfort food."  Some of us go to friends.  It's nice to have an ear to listen and a mouth to tell you that it isn't your fault.  Some of us go shopping.  Some of us choose to drink alcohol, consume tobacco, or use drugs.  Some of us exercise.  Some of us go to social media or the internet in general.  Still others go to self-help books, in the hope that we can somehow "fix" ourselves, and so won't become stressed.  These things are not necessarily bad, but it is important to be aware of what we go to first when we need help.  When we go to other things for help instead of going to God, we have made them into our idols.

There are obviously a multitude of ways to handle stress.   There are many things that we can use to comfort ourselves, including tea.  I enjoy a lot of things that I just listed in the above paragraph.  The thing is, that is not what God has asked me to do when I'm afraid and "stressed out."  He asks me to go to Him.  He tells me that I can find comfort in Him.  His Word reminds me that God's comfort is the only comfort that is everlasting and never-changing.  Tea can be taxed, overeating can cause obesity, and internet connection can be lost, but God's loving protection is a priceless gift in which we should abide.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3