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Blessings in Disguise

10/17/2012

2 Comments

 
It’s a strange concept, really: what we may consider bad things can actually be blessings.  Those of us who come from a first-world setting sometimes fail to realize the ease by which we travel, eat, entertain, and sleep.  We get comfortable with our things, and we call them blessings just because we like them.  When we see others without such comforts, we remind ourselves of how blessed we are.  Which begs the question: Is a person blessed who does not have these comforts?

In the world of Jesus, Jews had (and still do have) a blessing for everything.  It comes from the recognition that all things that come from G-D are blessings – the good and the bad, and He deserves our gratitude for them.  He shapes us through the tough times when we lack “stuff,” and through times of plenty when we have more than we need.  These are hard lessons for Jamie and I to learn, but we're getting there.

While being in Ecuador, we have witnessed the riches of G-D's blessing even in the poverty that surrounds us.  We are VERY blessed here and so are you, wherever you are.  Everything we have - and don’t have - is a blessing and should be received with thanksgiving because we belong to our Creator.  All of life is a blessing with Him.

With this in mind, here are some things that G-D in His grace has revealed as blessings for us in Ecuador:
  • sharing a twin bed
  • no hot water
  • food poisoning
  • slow internet

  • dirty tap water
  • electricity outages
  • unreliable (or scary!) transportation
  • language barriers
  • limited resources
  • cloudy/drizzly weather
  • budget constraints 
  • being surrounded by poverty
The point is not about WHAT we have but WHO has us.  We have a G-D that – rain, sleet, or shine – is present in the midst of grief and sorrow, joy and happiness, famine and plenty.  Because of this, we can be thankful and consider ourselves blessed in any and every situation – starving or stuffed, naked or clothed, sick or healthy.  As one of my favorite songs says:  “You [G-D] give and take away.  You give and take away.  My heart will choose to say, ‘Blessed be Your Name.’”
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.
The L-RD gave and the L-RD has taken away; may the name of the L-RD be praised!"-Job 1:21
2 Comments
Lisa Carroll
10/17/2012 12:32:38 pm

Reverse culture shock may be extra shocking this time around. I am SO very excited to sit and talk with you both. Just a few more weeks. I can only imagine all the emotions that you will be feeling when you leave Ecuador - what a wonderful experience it has been. hmmmmm....wonder if (er, I mean WHEN) you will go back.

Reply
Jamie
10/17/2012 02:10:57 pm

Lisa, you read my mind!

Reply



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    Geoff, Jamie, and Samuel Carroll

    Carroll Family

    Travel with us as we explore new lands, engage cultures, and learn to better love each other, those we encounter, and the Lord Jesus Christ at every crossroad of life. 

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