Learning To Savour The Moments

 Back home time is something that we all complain that we never have enough of, but here in our first few weeks we felt like we had so much time on our hands as we waited to settle into our ministry roles.  This was something Brad and I were struggling with, coming from a packed, busy schedule at home we were going stir crazy, then we attended the little Church at the end of our street and as a good friend of ours translated the Amharic sermon for us, it was as if God were speaking directly to us. The message was about ‘time’, God gives each of us enough time in our lives to accomplish the purpose He wants to fulfill in us. We need to be aware of this and not be ‘time killers’ (sitting around just killing time on TV, meaningless stuff), ‘time wasters’ (just busying ourselves), but we need to be ‘time users’ (making the most of each moment given to us because it is a gift).

Slowing down has taught me to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and not miss out on moments that would often just pass me by. Here people come first, not the pursuit of a great career or a big house, or activities, but it is always about people. Jobs take a lot longer to accomplish at times because people will stop to go through the greetings with most who pass by, or they stop in the middle of the day for a coffee ceremony. During my month here in Debre Zeyit not once have I encountered someone who appears rushed. Slowing down allows you to smile and say hello to all those who walk by you, gives you a chance to exchange words with your neighbors and for them to cheer you on as you practice your few Amharic words. We notice the lizards crawling on the wall and the million different types of birds that land on the clothes line in our yard.

Some things do take a lot more time though, like cleaning our clothes by hand, going to get groceries having to walk to 5 different vendors to get all the basics that will last a few days, and cooking hoping the power does not go off in the middle of preparation, but then you really appreciate those clean sheets, or the fact the power was on to have enough pressure and hot water for a shower, and all the meals taste better, especially the coffee that is over an hour process (from starting the burner to roasting the beans then finally making the coffee). I think slowing down and savouring the moments helps create a thankful heart. And that heart of thanks is full of pure and genuine joy.