Susan Narjala
Keeping it Real
Don’t focus on the Potatoes and Potholes
So we wanted to get here.
After selling our house and our cars at the perfect point in time. After getting our US citizenship and all our crazy complicated Indian paperwork sorted. But before the school year started. With admission in the school we chose although they’d closed admissions for the year. While living in an apartment close to school. (Like a five-minute drive would be perfect.) And, oh, could we also take ALL our US furniture with us, along with a few life-nourishing essentials like jars of Nutella and Costco-sized bags of chocolate chips?
Yup, that (with a few extras thrown in) was our laundry list and timetable for God before we left Portland for Bangalore last month. Thankfully God doesn’t tire of his kids too easily. He answered the practical stuff, the ridiculous requests and the self-indulgent, I’m-s0-First-World-and-absolutely-NEED-this ones.
Our response was a big long sigh of relief. Thank you Jesus!
Followed by: now that we’re here and those requests have been ticked off, here’s a brand new list.
Sure there’s nothing wrong with asking our God for things. He is our Abba Father and loves hearing from His kids. Not that He is obligated to give us everything we ask for. He has every right to say no or later. Simply because the Manufacturer always knows what’s best for the product created.
But this morning I was convicted about forgetfulness.
Forgetting His past goodness and forgetting to count my blessings doesn’t just leave us stagnant. It leaves us looking for more. It starts us complaining and nit-picking, even diminishing who God is.
Counting your blessings leads to Contentment for now and Confidence for the future.
Remembering and Reflecting on the journey brings Rest.
I’m not saying I can’t pray that my kids adjust to the new school or that I find a job or that we escape getting killed by the unbelievably chaotic traffic where everyone on the roads seems to have a morbid death wish. I can pray for those things. (And I probably should).
But I first have to start with remembering.
I don’t want to be like the Israelites who seemed to have shockingly short-term memories about the plagues, parting seas and pillars of cloud and fire. Instead they whined about… waitforit… potatoes. Pota-freakin-toes!!
I can’t point a finger. My top complaint these days is potholes. And that Kit-Kat here tastes like cardboard. Oh and let’s not forget the power cuts. Or that ten minutes in India is anything from half an hour to three days. And let me not get started on the toilet paper.
But today I choose to remember the journey. And say thank you.
When I forget His blessings, I open myself to discontent.
But when I look back on His grace, I have no fear of the future.
MEET SUSAN
Comments
17 Comments
Rahul
What toilet paper?! Say hello to the Health Faucet!!
Hail India!! Mera Bharat Mahan!!!
(ok, all done with daily patriotic fix, deep breaths…)
Arti
Susan, I am enjoying your blog so much! We miss you! I hope the journey continues to bring you the wisdom that you are so good at sharing with the rest of us.
Susan Narjala
Thanks Arti! Hope everything is going good. We miss Portland and all of you! Hugs!
Jennifer
I have been reading your blogs. They speak to the heart and God always re.emphasizes a point. Good work….
Susan Narjala
Thanks Jennifer! Appreciate your stopping by and commenting!
Marsha
So good to read the update, Susan! Yes, the JOY of the Lord is our strength – remembering His goodness, no matter what the package looks or feels like.
We sat in YOUR pew yesterday morning. Not quite sure we filled it properly. :- /
Susan Narjala
Haha! I’m sure you guys more than filled “our” pew. We miss you and Mark. Will keep you posted of our adventures for sure!
Beth
It’s so great to read about your adventures in India! We miss you guys. Thank you for the reminder to remember and count our blessings!
Susan Narjala
Hey Beth! Miss you guys too. So glad my little blog encouraged you!
Madonna
An insightful message for the day. Thanks Susan!
Susan Narjala
Thanks for commenting Madonna!
Judith
Very truthful..straight from the heart confessions ..loved it.
Susan Narjala
Hey, Thanks Judith!
shiny
Susan…..this is so well written….needless to say it does a ring a bell with our situation…..its so easy to forget the goodness from the past…….Thank for this one it does make us re-think and thank Jesus for his abundant mercies and his un-conditional grace….:)
Susan Narjala
Thanks Shiny! Glad this helps as you make some big decisions and changes in life!
Rebecca
Very insightful! Praise God for His faithfulness, no matter where we live!
Susan Narjala
Thanks sis. Yes, really, He is faithful. Even when we are forgetful!