This past weekend has me reflecting on the life we have chosen.
We spent Saturday evening at a wedding celebrating the marriage of two dear friends, Pamela and Josiah. It was a beautiful ceremony in the midst of a picturesque setting, surrounded by attractive people dressed in their most formal attire. We experienced joy being a part of this special event, talking with lots of friends, and dancing to all genres of music while decked out in the traditional handmade costumes.
Las Bajadas is about an hour drive out of the city and Leti and Juan’s house sits in the middle of soybean fields and chickens. It was a marked difference from the experience we had the night before. There weren’t any twinkling lights or white cloth napkins or silver plate chargers. No tuxedo clad waiter serving us food or people dancing under a disco ball.
However, there were similarities. There were beautiful people. There was a shared meal. There was a picturesque setting. And we felt a lot of joy.
I feel really thankful that I’m comfortable in both of these settings. I definitely prefer to be wearing a t-shirt with jeans instead of a fancy dress with dreaded nylons; but that aside, I am reflective on the joy we experienced in both of these venues.
In the book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, Ronald Sider writes, “We have been brainwashed to believe that bigger houses, more prosperous businesses, and more sophisticated gadgets are the way to joy and fulfillment.…Sharing with others is the way to real joy”
We are convinced of this. One of the best lessons we’ve learned in these past 2 years is that being with people, or as Dr. Sider writes, “sharing with others” is the way to real joy. Sharing our time, our stuff, our laughter, our tears, our thoughts, our Jesus.
The wedding celebrated the love between Pamela and Josiah and the lifelong covenant they are making together.
Las Bajadas celebrated the friendships we have on Earth and the family we will have in the eternal Kingdom of God.
The settings were profoundly different, yet they were both abounding in peace and joy.
We are very aware of -- and thankful for -- these sweet gifts we've been given.
3 comments:
I love this post - your reflections are so rich.
Thinking of you today.
I agree! I love God showed you two types of His beauty within the same 24 hours.
That story reminds me of a day several years ago when Gavin was invited to two birthday parties on the same day. He went to the first one, a Hispanic boy's party. Tiny house and yard, but a huge table set in the backyard, giant pots of beans and rice cooking, lots of meat on the BBQ and lots of friendly people of all ages. We left that party and went straight to the other party in Montecito. No one was allowed in the house, the party was in the circular driveway with a big bounce house and lots of toys to play with in the front yard/driveway area. I had to use the pool house bathroom and I was scared I might set off an alarm. Both families were equally nice, Gavin had a great time at both parties, but what a contrast! and to have them within hours of each other made it all the more interesting.
Post a Comment