One Month In

It's so tempting for my fingers to slide across these keys and produce clichés like, "I can't believe I've been here for a month already!" or to reference time flying or something to that effect. I'm trying to resist this awful temptation, because time is not suddenly moving at a greater speed now that I'm in a different country. There are still 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week.

So for now I'm simply stating that I've been in Thailand for one month. 30 days. Once again I'm tempted to write something about my complete disbelief at this reality. But in the greater scheme of things 30 days really isn't that long. Reality is, moving to a new country with a completely different culture and language makes you appreciate that there are still only 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. That's a given. A constant. Strangely enough I've found that time becomes a secondary issue because there are so many novelties and learning experiences involved in this new adventure.

Life lately has been less about time passing and more about moment by moment living and surviving in this new place. 

At first, even something simple like finding supper is overwhelming and time-consuming. Everything takes longer because I have to figure it out first, thinking about a million things at once  - my limited Thai vocabulary, unknown, strange-looking food, different customs and norms, different language and writing. I'm learning to be quiet in the minutes and sometimes hours that I don't understand what's going on around me. This would have irked me back in a culture where time is money and simply observing in silence would be considered wasteful.

But here I am learning humility and patience in the not-knowing. 

There have been many 'firsts' in the past 30 days. And there are sure to be many more in the days that lie ahead. For now I am celebrating the small victories. And learning from the inevitable mistakes I make every day.

I said that I appreciate that the passing of time is a given. A constant. But there is one other constant that I cannot neglect to mention, especially in light of what has transpired in the last month. Because ultimately this culture-crossing, laying-down-everything, moment-by-moment, grace-upon-grace life is about Him.

The book of Hebrews says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

He is steadfast. 

Immovable. 

The eternal God. 

The unwavering One in every new experience, every silent minute, every celebrated victory, every humbling loss I face. 

So for the next 60 minutes, the next 24 hours and the next 7 days, if He so graciously grants me the time, I will move forward in His strength.

He is worth it.