"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that
is to come." (Heb 13:14 ESV)
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| photo credit: Britney Thompson |
Lately, I've felt
desperately homesick. Living in a different culture has abundant blessings, but
some frustrations remain for me as a mom, functioning in a culture not my own.
Although language bit by bit gets better and I have a language plan for myself,
my days are pretty busy and my language just isn't developing the way I thought
it would. Homeschooling and toddlers are wonderful gifts, but as any mom knows,
most of your time is in the home and this can be very lonely.
For Titus's birth, we
were in Chiang Mai (a bigger city in Thailand) and a fellow expat laughed at us
when we told him how excited we were go to the international school's
carnival. "But sir, you don't understand, where we
live..." The things that we miss are the simple things, watching
football scrimmages/games, going to baby showers, free city carnivals, dance
classes that are close by, being part of a church community where we can
volunteer for things and use our mother tongue, family, etc. You get the idea.
Our struggles might be
unique as we live overseas, but I know that everyone is struggling, whether
living in your home culture or somewhere else.
God's Word was my
encouragement once again.
First the author of
Hebrews compares the OT system of sacrifices with Christ.
"We have an altar
from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of
those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as
a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside
the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood."
(13:10-12 ESV)
Then this part. This
verse, of course, is not just for missionaries. It's for every believer.
But I resonate with this as a cross-cultural mom, longing for home.
Verse
12 again. "So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to
sanctify the people through his own blood.
Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach
he endured.
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to
come." (13:13-14 ESV)
These verses provided
the humble reminder that this is our calling. Part of our calling is sacrificial;
suffering is to be expected. Jesus laid down his life to sanctify the people.
My loneliness and frustrations are allowed for His bigger plan, that we might
be tools in His hands as He draws people to the ETERNAL city.
I hope this is
encouragement for you in your own life as you sacrifice for Him. Someday
in the near or distant future, the Lord might call us back to the States.
But as it's not our time to go back, I ask for your prayers that we would be
patiently in tune with what the Lord is doing and that He would sustain myself
and our family in our continued journey here.
Please also pray for all the missionaries around the world who would stay for the duration of the course that the Lord has called them to and not leave early!
Today is the Queen
Mother's birthday here in Thailand and Mother's Day. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
to all you mommies and spiritual moms out there!
Blessings,
Jenn
"Through him then
let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of
lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share
what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (13:13-16
ESV)
