Ignorance is Bliss

I feel like I haven't written in a long time! There is a reason for that though. :) I have been so incredibly busy and have had a never-ending to do list and still have tons of things to do, but I just felt like it was time for a new post. And I won't lie, I could use time to just relax and do something I love to do! I can't remember the last time I actually had time to write, read, or play my ukulele. I was able to go for a run on that one warm day...a few weeks ago...and I can't wait until it's warm FOR GOOD!!

Despite the crazy adjustments of my move to Lansing and new schedule, new job, new people, new everything , I am so blessed. I am so thankful for where I am in my life right now.

This morning I went to (for confidentiality reasons, we'll call him Bob)'s house (an elderly man I met who has horses and willing to teach me a little about being a horseman/woman). Today was the 4th session and each time I go, he starts out talking about life, happenings, or some idea he has about how the world should run, or how people should run I guess you could say. So today when I came, I met another man (who just so happened to already be a Veterinarian from the Ukraine-I'm going to school to be a Veterinary Technologist.) who was also visiting Bob for the same reasons, to learn about horses.We introduced ourselves and exchanged a few words and then Bob and I went into the barn to begin my session for the day. Before we started, he said "That's too bad about the Ukraine..." and I said "Why,what's happening in the Ukraine?" and he said "Don't you watch the news? You cannot come here and be ignorant about the world. I expect you to know what is going on and be Christlike in that way," (not the exact words). I was taken back by this, I explained that I'm so busy, that I don't have cable, that it's all just negative stuff on the news. What I realized was that he is right. How can I just sit in my fancy apartment in a ritzy city, attending a top ten college, set up with a perfect internship, a job, a great church, and every other tool for me to reach my goals of success. When first meeting this man, you would think he was homeless, "creepy", rude, harsh, blunt...and in some ways yes he is very blunt and "harsh" but he is different than anyone I've met. He is an intellect, cares about making a difference in the world, wanting to understand the way and why and how it works and I'm still trying to figure him out. I was glad he confronted me about this.

I listened to him speak about how so many people walk through life with blindfolds on the sides, zoned into themselves, reaching out to the world just to pull in a job, school, food, a home, but not giving back to the world. Now Bob already made it clear to me that he is not religious and that I will not get anything out of him regarding Christianity, but sometimes he uses the word "Christlike." He made the point that nothing that was put on Earth has a name on it, that everything is meant to be shared. In a way I felt convicted and reminded that I am lucky, I am blessed to be free and have everything coming to me that I need, food, shelter, education, a job etc. I don't want to be ignorant and act like the rest of the world is also happy-go-lucky, and I don't mean that I have this mindset of everything being rainbows and sunshine ( I definitely have my problems!) but they are nothing compared so some other things that are happening on the other side of the planet.

Later on when I was home eating pancakes, I decided to scroll through my phone to read some news (saying that I don't have cable was NOT a legit excuse hence my smartphone....). I read through the timeline of the events going on in Ukraine, the downfall of their president, issues with Russia annexing Crimea, the protests resulting in violence and deaths etc. I watched some of the videos and afterwards, sat there and was really hit by the fact that I have been ignorant. Even if I cannot change something happening on the other side of the world, I should still take the time to know what others are going through. If anything, I can pray for them. What kind of follower of Jesus Christ if I'm only taking what He's giving me but not giving back :/ It's common to get so wrapped up into receiving Christ's blessings which is good BUT He also wants us to give back. I'm vaguely remembering a recent Church service that mentioned something about how by continually giving to others, we in turn provide room in ourselves for God to pour out continual blessings on us. If we just keep it all for ourselves, what good is that doing? We're not reaching out! It just sounds so simple, but I think so many of us forget that.

So I guess I just wanted to express how truly grateful, and thankful I am for how God has been providing for me and blessing  me with everything I imagined, a wonderful internship, acceptance into the Vet Tech Program, food, a job, a new church with new friends, and the opportunity to learn about one of the most mysterious, majestic, beautiful, intelligent animals from a man who is willing to spend his time teaching me for free. It is good and okay to enjoy your life and everything in it and to ravish in His blessings but don't forget to remember that we are called to give back! Talk to a stranger, ask them how their day is, pray for them, watch the news and pray for those suffering, pass out sandwiches to the homeless, spend quality time with elders, do a random act of kindness. Don't do it just as a "duty" but do it out of joy for everything YOU have been given that you can then pass on :)