We all have things that we take for granted. Things and people that seem to have always been there and we think they always will, that are so familiar to us that we forget to be grateful for them. I know I definitely do. I have been doing missionary work for about a year and a half now, and there are many things that I took for granted that are no longer a part of my life. And while I am not sad for the loss of these things, I just wanted the opportunity to acknowledge them and take a moment to belatedly be grateful for them.
1) I never really thought to be grateful for masses said in English. Almost every church in the United States has masses said in English. What's the big whip? The big whip is that I am in a foreign country now and most masses are said in the vernacular, Waray waray. Now, one of the most beautiful things about the Catholic Church is that you can go to any church anywhere in the world and celebrate the sacrifice of Christ and receive Him, body, blood, soul and divinity in any language. But, now that I cannot attend many masses in English, I realize how much I took it for granted. And when I think of the times I was bored or distracted during masses, Oh my, I am so sorry for that. Especially when I think of the many barrios where mass is only celebrated once a year here. There are Catholics who only attend mass once or twice a year, but that is generally their decision... their loss. But these people do not have a choice. Mass in any language is beautiful, but mass in your native tongue is personal, and you just can't top that!
2) Get Up and Go... While working in the missions, I haven't been able to just get in my car and go for a ride, see where the road takes me and stop wherever I want. I used to do that a lot, but I don't think I ever really appreciated the freedom to do that. Not only that, but making and completing lists. Who in their right mind would be grateful for lists?? Well, I am! I'm not talking about cleaning the bathroom lists, I'm speaking of shopping lists, friends to visit lists, food to make lists. Now I just help to complete other people's lists! And that is great, it's what I am here for and I am so happy to be doing that, but I don't think I ever appreciated the freedom to make my own list and the ability to complete it.
3) Friends and Family... Did you ever have the nudging to visit family or friends, the yearning to see them but time got away from you, things took over your mind and that visit or phone call never happened? Used to happen to me a lot. I definitely took for granted the fact that most of my family was within 45 minutes of where I was living and I could see them anytime I wanted to. And all of them were in my time zone, so calling them was no problem at all. Yet weeks would go by with no visit or call from me. What was I thinking? Now I am half way around the world from them, with a 13 hour time difference and I can't visit them, and calling not only requires a lot of thought (many apologies to Tom Radel who I often text at 3pm, my time, without thought to what time it is in Buffalo!!!) but it is also expensive.
I don't mean to sound like a curmudgeon. I am grateful for many things and appreciative to God for many blessings. But there are certain things that I know I took advantage of before. I am not sorry for the loss of them now... I am so happy to be here in the Philippines. But I am sorry that I didn't appreciate them when I had them. There are many things here that I hope I never take advantage of, things like
1) The sweetness of the Oikos Sisters. Each of them has been so welcoming and warm to me, doing special things for me or making sure I am safe and comfortable, sneaking me little treats or taking me to beautiful places. And it is not just me. I have witnessed many visitors coming into their mission and homes who receive the same treatment, it is just who they are: extra special bearers of God's love for the world. I hope I never take for granted the kindnesses and sweetness of the sisters, in fact, I hope it rubs off on me!!
2) The beauty of my surroundings... Each morning when I wake up I am surrounded by natural beauty, whether it is the gardens of Providence Home, the river at Nazareth Home or the faces of the beauties at Hin Dong! Each one inspires me to take a deep breath and say I can't believe I get to be here! Sometimes we get up at 4am to go to work in barrios and as we pass the sunrise over the ocean, well,the sight just takes my breath away. Whether it is the tall coconut trees with their halos of leafy green fans surrounding the coconut or the fluffy conglomerations of clouds, the flowing rivers or the mighty mountains, everywhere I look I am surrounded by beautiful sights. I hope I never get used to it, that I never pass the unbelievably beautiful flora and fauna, the ocean and rivers, the daytime or night sky here without giving thanks to God for the artistry of His creation.
3) Not a day has gone by that I have not been filled with awe at the generosity of the Oikos Sisters. With their feeding programs, livelihood programs, religious formations, construction mission, scholar programs, medical and dental care, they reach more people than anyone I have ever known. Their giving seems to know no bounds and the fact that I can be here and help them, little as it may be, fills me with a kind of joy I have never felt before. I hope I never get used to it, that the joy I feel in being a part of things here and the joy I see reflected in the faces of those people we help never becomes commonplace.
I think you have to work at not taking things for granted. And the way I think you do that is by giving thanks to God for every. little. thing. Because, the truth is, it all comes from Him. All of the little surprises that brighten up our day, all of the big things that transform our lives, all of it is blessings from God. As I said, I am not mournful of the things I used to have or took part in, and as I consider missionary work for my life's work, there may be very little of the things I used to be able to do with much ease available to me. But there is no statute of limitations on gratitude. So as I look back on the blessings I have had in the past, I give thanks, and as I look at my present life, the new experiences and my new surroundings, I give thanks.
I could go on with the list of things I don't want to take for granted, but I came here to be a worker, not a writer, so I better get back to it! Just wanted to share my thoughts today. Perhaps it'll help you too!! xxoo
