Waiting For Our Souls to Catch Up

Ruth Anne:

There's a story somewhere about a North American businessman who was traveling Africa with the help of an indigenous guide and several others who were carrying goods. He had a deadline to make, business to do, so in the first three days of their trek through the jungle, he pressed his guide to keep everyone moving.

On the third day, however, the businessman was confused and irritated when his hired workers refused to move. The guide tried to explain. "The men have been running so fast for three days. They will now wait until their souls catch up with them."

I have come to understand these first few days in Thailand, staying in the comfort of the home of our gracious hosts, Mike and Debbie Flinchum, to be days set aside just for this purpose. There is part of me that still would prefer to be picked up from the airport and head straight out to Hot Springs. Let's get on with why we're here. Let's be with those kids, doing morning devotion times and eating under the dining shelter and playing games and learning Thai and loving and being loved in return. Let me at it!

But there is wisdom is letting your soul catch up with you.

It's more than just the jet lag, as real and disorienting as that can be. It's more than just the fatigue of having been mostly awake for the past 30 hours and the resting that's required to feel halfways normal again. There's something true about losing your soul along the way when you're flying so fast.

So, as anxious as I am for this day to begin, for us to get on our way to Hot Springs and the children, and the beautiful gift of knowing and being known, and loving and being loved, I am very grateful for this time just now.

Because before the flight and on top of the jet lag, I know my own soul has been trying to catch up with me. It's easy to lose yourself in the jungle of pressing demands and an overbooked schedule. It's hard for a soul to keep up.

Last night before dinner Tutu treated us to a swim in the pool that belongs to the gated-community where she lives, and where Mike and Debbie's home is also. The water was warm from being in the sun all day, but now that same sun was setting over the hills, and the air was not as vicious. There was an orange haze over the water, and even though I was half a world away, I couldn't help but be reminded of the sunsets on Georgian Bay that restore me so thoroughly each summer. And there in the midst of the "perk" of an evening swim, I opened myself and received another portion of God's restoration.

Soon we will be packing up to head to the airport to greet Mike, who is coming back from spending time with his family in the US. Then we will get in the truck - the new truck! - and head for the hills - literally.

Soon we will leave our time of catching up and engage in the reason we're here.

Very soon.