forever changed

Welcome back to America :) Africa was absolutely life changing. I've never been so humbled, loved, accepted, refreshed and rejuvenated at the same time!

So many things happened on the trip, but the thing I'm most thankful for was the Lord showing me how to be thankful. I've become quite spoiled in my lifestyle. I am frugal with the money I have been blessed with, but that doesn't mean that I don't long for things that really are just not needed. It's not wrong to enjoy things that are expensive or beautiful, but it's where the heart is that matters. So often, I want to be the person with the best of the best. The one people envy. How arrogant, right?

Well, I've been so humbled. As I lived and dwelt with people that live on a monthly budget less than what I make in two days of work, I began to see true thankfulness. People that were not complaining about a lack of money but that were willing to praise the Lord for what they had and how much He had given them.

I didn't even know I had learned the lesson until I returned to the states. I remember sitting down for breakfast at 6:00AM, barely awake, and thanking the Lord for the food I was about to eat. I've always wanted to thank the Lord before my meals, but somehow I always forgot. My heart was being changed and I could see it.

I should be so thankful for my life. I have a job, a car, a place to live (bonus it has a pool), a family that loves me, salvation, a family that loves the Lord, enough money to pay all of my bills and then some, a savings account, a phone, a computer, the ability to buy glasses, food on the table, food in the fridge/pantry, a bed, my own bible, the freedom to worship openly, and so many more things! I can't even begin to think of how ungrateful I had become but can only bow and thank the Lord for renewing my mindset and heart.

I remember that this is a battle. That we have to fight for truth and life...that it's easy to complain and find the negative, but it takes energy to see the good. To be thankful and appreciate what we have. And that battle, I am going to fight.

I will forever be thankful for this trip. It couldn't have come at a better time and I couldn't have found more freedom. Thanks God!