I spend a lot of time in the car, driving around 4 counties to see clients.  It’s nice to have the time alone with my thoughts.  And it’s terrible to be alone with my thoughts.  I find myself worrying over situations, relationships, possibilities, opportunities, etc.  Prior to the Guatemala trip, my brain was full of things to stew over, including hurt feelings with a friend, a difficult conversation, and general woes which shall remain nameless. 

So, on day 3 of riding around Guatemala City, I was staring out the window at the traffic and passing scenery and I realized that I wasn’t stewing.  I tried to remember what I should be worrying about, but it was so far away that I couldn’t quite wrap my brain around those things.  I’d been thinking about orphans and wondering how much snot I had on my shirt because of all the hugging.  I was smiling to myself at the memory of Ambrosio leading a standing ovation over pizza.  I remembered serving drinks to a bunch of kids who aren’t treated like they’re special very often.  There were the mountains and a smoking volcano out my window, and I was thinking about how big God’s world is and that I am very small in my tiny corner of Indiana.  My perspective was put to right.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8 (New Living Translation)