Thoughts

I just returned from a trip to Mexico with my church.  We went to serve alongside a ministry called El Refugio in Ensenada.  The founders of this work is a precious family from Canada who moved to Mexico when they felt a call to rescue young ladies who have been victimized by the sex trafficking world.  Their work is noteworthy, much needed and their love for these abused and wounded young ladies is second to none.   

Our role on this short trip was simply to encourage, support and come alongside this ministry.  The guys we took were limited to more manual labor projects around the compound while the ladies were able to connect, hang out and just listen to the young ladies and their stories.  Lots of tears and heartache were shared, along with great nuggets of healing.

As I've had a week to reflect on the trip, yes - I am so saddened by what these girls have had to endure at the hands of perversion; my heart and prayers go out to them.  In fact, we are already planning a trip in the late fall to spoil the girls, to provide them with the greatest weekend ever - a weekend of learning how to surf, a time where our ladies will provide manicures, pedicures, make-up sessions, bring dresses & nice shoes... you know, girl stuff.  That's going to be a monumental weekend of fun, faith and great therapy for these gals. 

Back to my reflection, I'm amazed at the abundance my life affords.  On one of the afternoons, we went to take some snacks out to a migrant camp that was an hour or so away.  When we arrived, not only was the stench prevalent, the landscape worn & beaten down, what hurt me the most was the lack of hope on the faces of the workers.  Day after day, in the 90+ degree heat, with no vacation, no overtime, no affirmation, no dream of a better day, they work, and work and work.  My heart hurt for them, however, there was really nothing I could do to effectuate any change in their temporal existence.  The only thing I could do was provide them a bit of laughter by being silly, a literal cup of cold water and a tangerine wrapped with a piece of candy.  The best thing we did, I reckon, was pray for them.  Grateful, yes they were.  Appreciative, totally!  Sad we drove off, you bet. 

All to say, I'm evaluating my things in light of this experience just nine hours from my opulent life.  I just did a count of my stuff  in my closet.  Are you ready?  It's kind of embarrassing, here goes: I have 14 pairs of shoes, 2 pairs of slippers, 6 pairs of flip-flops, 18 pants, 3 suits and 1 sport coat.  I have 20 nice long sleeve shirts, 33 nice short sleeve shirts, 51 tee shirts, 11 designer sweaters, 12 beanies, 39 hats... you get the picture!  Yes, I'm very grateful and blessed for this abundance.  However, really - enough is enough, right? 

I guess what I'm thinking, as I type out load, is that I'm going to be more intentional about living that attitude of gratitude.  My directive from my favorite Rabbi is that in all things, I am to give thanks.  And, every perfect gift does come from above and as I may have these things now, I may not have them tomorrow.  The real essence of life isn't in the abundance of the things, but in a relationship with my Creator - this can't be reduced to a thing because He is the Thing, if you will. 

In short, the lesson I'm gathering is simply this: let's be grateful & at the same time, careful that the luxury we're afforded with doesn't preempt that which is most important.  Namely, cultivating a relationship with our Creator.  Thanks for listening...