I have a question for you. I have been pondering this all month.
Do missionaries get spoiled when they come on furlough?
I was just reading the verse in Matthew where Jesus said that “to be first in the kingdom of God, you must be last and a servant to all.” That spoke to me. When I come to America, I feel so much like I’m the one being served all the time. When we set our feet on American soil, it’s like putting your feet up in a recliner for two months. I’ve noticed that everyone is at your beck and call.
I have a bad habit of saying things without thinking, like, “Oh, wouldn’t I love to have this,” or “Wouldn’t this be something useful,” or “We can’t get this in Poland” or “Wow! I forgot that I missed malted milk balls” when I’m shopping with my family and friends and next thing I know these things are mysteriously appearing on our door step. I probably have a better collection of CD’s, books, peanut butter, chocolate chips, bubble bath, and Bath and Body Works lotion in Poland than I ever would if I lived in America. Well, you say, just keep your big mouth shut. I know. I’m learning, I hope.
And I know people want to bless these ‘poor people that are giving their lives for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.’ And we do feel blessed by people’s generosity. I mean, I love getting gifts. All my friends know that. We have been overwhelmed at times with what people heap upon us, but I wonder sometimes, “Is this attention really good for us personally?”
And I think about my children. They think getting more things is normal. If someone comes to Poland without a gift for them, they feel slighted. Where is their gratitude? How can I teach them to be thankful?
Sometimes, I feel like we are just leading normal lives in Poland. We get grumpy just like in America, we have good and bad days, we get tired of our noisy neighbor ladies, too. There is nothing holy or grand about living in a foreign country. Oh, I’m sure there are sacrifices, but overall, we just live. We are normal human beings. We drive a car, live in a house, grow a garden, and mow our yards just like people here.
So, I’ve been thinking a lot this furlough about how I can bless my family and friends in America. I’ve been trying think of little ways I can help out even while on vacation. I want to learn to be a servant not only in Poland, but also while on “vacation” in America.
Do missionaries get spoiled when they come on furlough?
I was just reading the verse in Matthew where Jesus said that “to be first in the kingdom of God, you must be last and a servant to all.” That spoke to me. When I come to America, I feel so much like I’m the one being served all the time. When we set our feet on American soil, it’s like putting your feet up in a recliner for two months. I’ve noticed that everyone is at your beck and call.
I have a bad habit of saying things without thinking, like, “Oh, wouldn’t I love to have this,” or “Wouldn’t this be something useful,” or “We can’t get this in Poland” or “Wow! I forgot that I missed malted milk balls” when I’m shopping with my family and friends and next thing I know these things are mysteriously appearing on our door step. I probably have a better collection of CD’s, books, peanut butter, chocolate chips, bubble bath, and Bath and Body Works lotion in Poland than I ever would if I lived in America. Well, you say, just keep your big mouth shut. I know. I’m learning, I hope.
And I know people want to bless these ‘poor people that are giving their lives for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.’ And we do feel blessed by people’s generosity. I mean, I love getting gifts. All my friends know that. We have been overwhelmed at times with what people heap upon us, but I wonder sometimes, “Is this attention really good for us personally?”
And I think about my children. They think getting more things is normal. If someone comes to Poland without a gift for them, they feel slighted. Where is their gratitude? How can I teach them to be thankful?
Sometimes, I feel like we are just leading normal lives in Poland. We get grumpy just like in America, we have good and bad days, we get tired of our noisy neighbor ladies, too. There is nothing holy or grand about living in a foreign country. Oh, I’m sure there are sacrifices, but overall, we just live. We are normal human beings. We drive a car, live in a house, grow a garden, and mow our yards just like people here.
So, I’ve been thinking a lot this furlough about how I can bless my family and friends in America. I’ve been trying think of little ways I can help out even while on vacation. I want to learn to be a servant not only in Poland, but also while on “vacation” in America.
Comments
BTW, if you get a chance to shop in a large store (Real, Geant, something like that), look for Malteasers in a red bag--they are malted milk balls from England, and the chocolate is top-notch. I haven't had any for a while, but they are delicious!