Trent is here preaching in local churches, as well as teaching at ACTS Bible School. I have also been teaching and since we got here later in the year, we are currently preparing for Final Exams.
It happens...we get here and there is like a week or so of adjustment to the time zone and schedule before we start to feel normal, however, there is ONE thing that we no longer need an adjustment period.
In the AIM apartment, there are some low ceilings. I would measure them, but I don't have anything to do so, but I will say that the bottom of the ceiling hits Trent just above the eyebrow line. After our first stay here, years ago, we learned all too quickly to DUCK every time we step into the kitchen or into the bathroom. And, in case we forgot, we were immediately reminded (in a rather painful way) that there are low clearances here!
Now, we don't even think about ducking. We just do it. No head injuries happening now! HA!!
It struck me that in life, there are situations or instances where there are and always will be "low clearances". Or, opportunities that we must learn to navigate. Things we need to avoid or steer clear of. If we forget, we are reminded (sometimes painfully) that this is a potential hazard. We are forced to adjust our walk, our behavior or approach in order to prevent ourselves from being "whacked in the head".
These situations, like the low ceilings in the apartment, do not have warning signs or labels. We must learn to detect them and be able to quickly maneuver or adjust to keep ourselves from being hurt.
If we are not aware, or don't pay attention, we get a gentle (or not so gentle) reminder to "get out of the way" or duck.
It stuck me, after teaching several classes here, that there has been a sort of repeating pattern to the things I was discussing. Primarily, character and perspective.
I have always been a half glass full kind of girl. Sort of a Pollyanna...there is a bright side to everything. I can usually find something to be grateful for, even in the most frustrating of situations. My perspective on life is to find the good, even if its only a small thing. I choose to see the best in everyone and in every trial or conflict.
The "low clearance" moments of life are an opportunity to for us to learn to trust what we've learned from past mistakes and to continue to move forward and to be prepared to duck or avoid future pitfalls or troubles. While we are not always able to avoid them, we can be aware of them and learn that there is some good to these moments. We can appreciate the leading and guiding that God gives us.
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