To whom much is given...

From the first week to my final days in India I was aware of the numerous comforts I have taken for granted. Most of these would be considered necessities to the majority of us in North America, while in poorer parts of India they might be viewed as comforts perhaps occasionally to be enjoyed and always gratefully received.

All the numbers of things I have taken and easily will take for granted again:
-Water: having it at all, warm or hot water, clean water, drinking water.
-Electricity, light, warmth, shelter, safety and security.
-Health, nutrition, balanced diet options, food! Meat, cheese, fresh vegetables and fruit!
-Family, friends, a home church, fellowship, others to edify, encourage, and disciple me throughout my life. A Christian Community, family, school, and circle of friends. The ability to call up a friend when I am having a bad day or a good one!

The last one listed above probably was the hardest for me to learn to live without at times when phone service or internet were unavailable. Those who know me well know how I hold on to people, and I have a very difficult time letting them go when a season for friendship ends or circumstances direct us apart. "To whom much is given, much is required." These words echoed in my mind day after day as I poured out my heart to God and sought His fellowship all the more. I was blessed to learn to depend on God for fellowship as I never had before, and to eventually form some friendships with those around me.

What He removed or withheld from me in those six months cannot compare with what countless go without in this world; yet, because of what I have grown to live with, I had to learn to live without. At times I felt so overwhelmed by the needs around me-some only seen from a distance, others voiced out loud or in mute gestures-that I felt I could not carry the weight. Once again, I learned to rely on Him as never before and lift each one my eyes fell on up to Him. There are a number of people living in India who do not have the luxury of any of the items listed above, and I was only without some of these for brief hours or days at a time in the past six months. I hope I will never stop being thankful for all I have been given, every minute of every day I have to walk in fellowship with my Lord and Maker, and every gift He gives for every season. May He continue to create in me a willing heart to surrender every gift He gives and to learn to share it with the very "least of these."