As I begin to feel more settled into my new space, in my new country of service, things start to feel less “new”. I have a routine now. Wake up, work out, go to language class, etc. Visiting a new place and living in a new place are two completely different things. Life begins to feel more normal and less like a crazy adventure (even though they really are both at the same time!) But as I begin to settle and feel a little more “normal”, I feel something missing from the past normal life I once lived.
My family, friends, and community.
When I think about them and their absence, my life doesn’t feel so normal anymore. And even though I’m finding a new community and forming new friendships, that doesn’t mean that my community back in Virginia is being replaced. I want to care for everyone well, my American community and my community here in the Middle East.
What really doesn’t feel normal is that can’t be there for people like I used to. As I’ve talked with friends and family back in the States, as painful situations have come up in their lives, it’s so hard not being there for them—in person, hugging them, being present with them. In my long-distance relationships, all I can offer is to get on the phone and talk. However, sometimes people don’t even feel like talking, which is totally understandable. So, what can I do then?
I’ve been asking God what to do in those situations and he gave me a funny answer.
Quinn, WE are in a long-distance relationship right now.
Isn’t that a funny thought? God is in a long-distance relationship with us until we are together in heaven one day. We long to be united with God. There are a lot of beautiful psalms that illustrates this feeling of longing…
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord…” Psalm 84:1-2
Just as I long to see my family, my boyfriend, and my friends one day again soon—I long to see God, in a different deeper way. I long for him to be close to me, kind of like how I long for my family to be close to me too.
God offers us his Word, but he also offers us so much more. He gives us his Spirit. He gives us peace and love and grace and everything else we could ever need. While I could never offer that kind of long-distance relationship, God’s showing me how I can offer something more than just words.
I can offer my prayers.
That seems like a given. Of course I’ve been praying for people back home. Actually, I have since the day I arrived! But, I’m now realizing how precious it is in the context of every relationship. And it’s one of the few ways I can be there for someone during this season of living overseas. I think it might even be the sweetest way I can be present for someone. Prayer is powerful. Being spiritually present for someone is worth so much. And asking God to be present in someone’s life is even more precious. God’s presence surpasses anything my presence could offer.
So, I’m praying more for my people back home, and trying to learn from God’s example of how to care for people well while we are apart. And I'm so very grateful for how close God feels to us and how he pursues relationship with us every single day.