I want to share
some lessons I learned while visiting the ‘Big Apple’. . .
The truth behind a
New York minute – my feet can vouch for this one as I walked faster and took in
more in an instant than I could ever do in a minute at home!
What if feels like
to fear for my husband’s life – he ventured out at 1:30 in the morning to get medicine because of my allergic
reaction to something (awwww. . .what a fantastic man!). I prayed the whole time for his safe
return. 1:30
holds way more danger and risk in NY than any parts of our city.
The only person
that exists in NYC is SELF – it does not matter whose feet get stepped on, who
does not get on the subway, what car is waiting to drive through an
intersection or how many times you tell the person handing out a brochure NOT
INTERESTED; everyone is out for themselves.
They are on a mission and you better not get in their way.
How blessed I
truly am – many have no roof over their head to return to each evening, a
companion to share this life, many do not know when the next meal will come and/or
they lack a relationship with Jesus. I
am blessed beyond words to have a place to call home here, to share this life
with my best friend, continually receive nourishment beyond necessary and know
Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I spent
most of my days in NYC praying for those who do not know Jesus and look to this
world for comfort, peace, joy and life.
Emotions flooded
my thoughts and heart daily. Lessons
bombarded the time spent in NYC. I
returned home a little stronger, further in my journey and closer to Him. Amongst all the teachings and eye opening
experiences. . .one stands above all.
The fact of how quickly we conform to the patterns of the surrounding
environment. Day one – I meekly walked
through the streets of NYC, said “excuse me” quite a few times, experienced
shock at the site of dirty streets, felt sad for those without a home, scared
when boarding a subway, clung close to my husband for protection and by the end
of the day wanted to go home and hold my children while sitting quietly on my
couch. Day two – a new day, walked a bit
faster, began to ignore the bright orange hand telling me not to cross the
street (that is just what you do in NYC) and did not cling so tightly to my
husband. By day three – my feet walked
quickly, chest out, no saying “excuse me”, ignored the cars honking at me,
nothing seen brought shock and I fit right in with the locals (or so I
thought). Was I happy? Was I myself?
Was it worth it?
Well, conforming
helped me survive; but inside, I screamed for quiet, polite words, clean
environment, a vehicle and enough money to bring peace to all the homeless
seen. I became a New Yorker. . .not
Sheree Craig. I did not like it, but I
had to survive, right?
Doesn’t life
challenge us in the same way? As
Christians, we leave our home filled with Scripture and holding our Father’s
Hand tightly. As the day continues,
temptation appears for us to change in order to ‘fit in’ to whichever social
setting surrounds us. The grip with our
Father’s Hand loosens. We fail to speak
politely. We ignore the red flags of our
Father warning us of danger. Our eyes and
hearts desensitize to the despair each day presents and so we do nothing. Our feet walk so quickly and miss the curve
or turn which our Father intended on our path.
Satan controls our fast pace and continues filling us with lies. We feel the need to fit in supercedes the
desire in our heart to follow our Father.
Are we happy? Are we the creation
our Father intended us to be? Is it worth
it?
My opinion,
NO! Conforming to the patterns of this
world steals our joy, peace and purpose.
I want to be the odd man out if it means my Father and I walk hand in
hand, taking each turn and curve as intended on the path laid before me. I want to maintain my relationship with my
Father, appreciate who He created me to be, speak and act in love and recognize
the lies which Satan tries to feed me. I
want to be so close to my Father that He continues to renew and refresh me with
His Word each moment of each day.
Thanks NYC for the
lessons. . .I think I will go back to being Sheree Craig now.
Keep praying
harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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