Today, we got back from vacation. We got back to the area we refer to as "The Dead Zone". It's called this for two reasons, it is pretty much the only place in the country that we don't have family a few hours away. This was not intentional. The only reason is because there's virtually no natural plant life or wildlife here. About a 30 mile radius is completely civilized. I never would have imagined that would be something that would bother me. We rode the airport shuttle bus an hour to our town, and then a very kind couple from church picked us up, took Jefe to class, and me home. I had a bunch of things I had to get ready and then bring to Jefe at class. I got those collected and went out to the car, only to find that the car battery was dead. Jefe accidentally left the interior light on the day before we left. But I had this moment of panic. Who do I call? Who could I truly count on to help me? Family is someone you can always count on to go out of their way to make sure you are taken care of, but when you don't any around... We have friends, but everyone has their own lives and I hate to impose. So, I ended up going to get our neighbor who I know is good with cars and he was able to help me and everything worked out fine, but it definitely made me think.
Something I've been struggling with and working on is making God my first resort, instead of my last. In that moment of panic, why didn't I pray for help and guidance? Why did I think first to how lonely a feeling it is to have no one to truly rely on, when I do have someone. Who better to ask for help than God? And why isn't He the one I look to first?
I know this Indiana chapter is to teach me to rely fully on Him, but I can't wait until this lesson is learned to His satisfaction. I apparently love to learn this lesson the hard way.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 has always been a favorite verse of mine, but I found new meaning today as I felt my loneliness for my family as I was getting ready for bed today. Verse 14 says "I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Throughout the Bible, people are exiled, either by God or protected by God while in exile. But I never really thought about the lessons learned in exile. Not that Indiana is necessarily exile, there are DEFINITELY worse places to be, but what is exile? It's being kept from the things, places, and people you are accustomed to and love. Being physically separated, cut off, voluntarily or by authoritative decree. Our "exile" is voluntary in a sense, but I do believe we're where we're supposed to be. I think the greatest lesson to be learned is to lean on God for your needs and for comfort, and security.
Sigh, learning is hard.
